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Russia’s future orbital station to have no service life limit

The Russian orbital station is designed to maintain Russia’s presence in the near-Earth orbit after the ISS terminates its operation

© AP Photo/NASA

MOSCOW, June 29. /TASS/. Russia’s orbiter that may replace the International Space Station (ISS) after 2024 won’t have any service life limits as it will comprise fully replaceable modules, Energiya Rocket and Space Corporation said in its annual report on Thursday.

Read also

US astronauts to continue flying to ISS on Soyuz spacecraft

"The station will operate continuously through the replacement of used-up modules," the document says about the characteristics of the future orbiter.

According to the document, the Russian orbital station is a near-Earth manned space station designed to maintain Russia’s presence in the near-Earth orbit after the ISS terminates its operation.

Currently, the world sole orbiter’s operation has been extended to 2024. The possibility of extending its service life to 2028 is currently being discussed.

At the initial stage, the future orbiter is expected to comprise new modules of the International Space Station’s Russian segment (the Nauka multi-purpose laboratory module, the Prichal nodal module and the science/energy module) that will be undocked from the ISS.

The future orbiter may be eventually supplemented with a transformable module, an airlock module and an energy module.

Read also

European Space Agency to take part in Russian lunar program

The new station will be designed to practice technologies and create elements for flights to the Moon and participation in other promising space exploration programs. The future orbiter may also provide services for receiving and servicing foreign spacecraft.

Energiya Corporation suggests that domestic and foreign investors and private companies should be involved in developing and operating the Russian orbital station, the document says.

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Russian envoy calls UN Security Council meeting on Iran strike parade of hypocrisy

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The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly emphasized previously that similar drills and patrols are held in strict compliance with international law

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Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in turn, said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet received an official invitation

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Russia’s UN envoy says statements by West expose Kiev’s responsibility for attacks on ZNPP

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Yury Borisov noted that SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket was used no more than ten times

Russian paratroopers seize Ukrainian stronghold on tanks, combat vehicles

Russian troops suffered no casualties, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Russian investigators start inquiry into financing of terrorism by US, NATO officials

Investigators have established that the funds that were received through commercial organizations, such as the oil and gas company Burisma Holdings operating in Ukraine, have been used to carry out terrorist acts in Russia and abroad

Ukraine struggles to garner support for Swiss conference — Russian Foreign Ministry

"There are increasingly fewer people willing to discuss this subject with Kiev’s envoys, let alone going there," Rodion Miroshnik stressed

Iran to retaliate for any new Israeli attack 'within seconds,' senior diplomat warns

Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani described the Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy’s consulate department in Syria on April 1 as a strategic mistake

FSB prevents terror attack on Trans-Siberian Railway

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Putin expresses hope for restraint in Middle East in conversation with Raisi

According to the the Russian presidential press service, "Vladimir Putin said all parties would hopefully show a reasonable degree of constraint to avoid a new bout of tensions"

Russian troops destroy fake Ukrainian ambulance with UAV operators in Kherson area

Russian reconnaissance teams have repeatedly observed the Ukrainian military using ambulances and other civilian vehicles for transporting troops and armaments to combat areas, Vladimir Saldo said

Russia, Belarus sign aircraft production agreement

The complex of measures (plan) to stimulate Russian investment activity in Belarus was also signed

CEC chairperson hands over presidential credentials to Putin

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White House effectively rules out option for US forces to intercept Russian missiles

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Rafael Grossi reminded the Security Council that last year he outlined the principles of ensuring safety at the ZNPP to avert the danger of a nuclear incident and called on Russian and Ukraine to observe them

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According to the report, Israel’s war cabinet will meet on April 16 for a third straight day

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Iranian president warns of 'terrible response' to any action against country

Ebrahim Raisi opined that the UN Security Council and the organization as a whole "failed to fulfill their minimum legal obligations to condemn the [Israeli] attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus"

Israeli response will likely targets outside Iran — NBC

The report said the Israeli retaliation will be "limited in scope"

Over 40 nations want to join BRICS — Russian lawmaker

According to Grigory Karasin, many BRICS members share the opinion that the association should be in no hurry to adopt a strict charter, "seeing how counterproductively and even provocatively the European Union is acting"

Iran has warned US that Israeli response would set off harsh retaliation — minister

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the statement as he spoke by phone with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi

French mercenaries operate Caesar howitzers in Ukraine — French reporter

According to Christelle Neant, French specialists are engaged to operate these howitzers in Ukraine as Ukrainian mobilized soldiers lack relevant skills and time to learn how to use them

Negotiations on safety of navigation in Black Sea continue — source

The talks are being held within the framework of a letter sent earlier by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to the presidents of Turkey, Russia and Ukraine

Israeli strikes on Iran to do disservice to US ahead of election — former Russian diplomat

"The Biden administration on the eve of the presidential election does not need this at all," Alexander Maryasov noted

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Russian, Israeli security chiefs discuss current escalation in Middle East

On the evening of April 13, Iran launched dozens of drones and missiles toward Israel in response to what it called "repeated crimes" from Tel Aviv, including the attack on the consular office of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus ascribed to Israel

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New sanctions against Moscow to push supplies of Russian metal to China up — Bloomberg

The London Metal Exchange’s ban on Russian aluminum, copper and nickel produced after April 13, 2024 leaves the Shanghai Futures Exchange as the only major commodities bourse in the world to accept Russian shipments of the three metals

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Dmitry Peskov stated that China "maintains quite high diplomatic activity" on the Ukrainian track

Moscow shooter identified as European boxing champion Nikita Ivanov

This was reported by a representative of law enforcement agencies

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The Russian Embassy in Tehran keeps the issue under special control, Maria Zakharova said

Press TV reports all of Iran's hypersonic missiles hit intended targets in Israel

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Kiev recognizes Russia's tenfold superiority in artillery shells

Vladimir Zelensky admitted that Ukraine had no chance of winning victory without support from the West

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Rafael Grossi calls for attacks on ZNPP to stop as they raise safety risks

Russian Armed Forces hit IRIS-T air defense system launcher, Ukrainian ammunition depot

The personnel and equipment of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were also defeated in 129 districts

Israel may strike Iranian territory to demonstrate its capabilities — TV

"We are continuing our efforts to prevent further escalation," the US official said

Ukrainian president signs law tightening mobilization rules

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Russia’s top brass reports destroying first Khmara jammer in Ukraine operation

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According to German Galushchenko, the value of the damage is being verified and could reach billions of dollars

Zelensky irked by US’ request to stop attacking Russian energy infrastructure — media

It is noted that US officials believe the military benefits of Ukraine’s air raids on Russian oil refineries are "of questionable value," since "the strikes do little to diminish Russia’s war-fighting abilities"

Russia’s UN envoy says IAEA too cautious as it doesn’t name culprit behind attacks on ZNPP

Vasily Nebenzya said Russia was calling on the International Atomic Energy Agency to name the source of attacks

Russian air defenses suppress up to 400 Ukrainian UAVs in DPR over week

The drones neutralized by the air defenses included a Mavic-3 UAV and three Baba-Yaga drones carrying improvised explosive devices manufactured with the use of anti-tank aerial bombs and mines

Kremlin mum on reports about discussions of Black Sea maritime security pact

It was reported eaerlier that Turkey had negotiated for two months with Russia and Ukraine on a deal to ensure the safety of merchant vessels in the Black Sea

Russian finance ministry considering abolition of export duty on gold

Earlier, the Federation Council’s budget and financial markets committee recommended that the amendment on an increase in MET on gold from June 1 to December 31, 2024 be approved

Russia developing Start-1M carrier rocket as derivative of Topol-M ICBM — source

Like the ICBM, the carrier rocket is intended for launches from a mobile launching platform

Envoy reports dozens of Russians killed in Ukrainian attacks in past week

According to Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik, over that period, Ukrainian troops fired "at least 1,362 munitions" at civilian facilities

Roscosmos committed to continued collaboration with NASA — CEO

"We, both sides, and you can take it from me - as I meet with colleagues from NASA, would hate to lose this cooperation," Yury Borisov noted

Russian forces find coordinates of DPR churches at former Ukrainian positions in Avdeyevka

It was possible to establish that the Ukrainian servicemen were tasked with hitting Orthodox sites in the region aide to the head of the Donetsk People's Republic Igor Kimakovsky said

Russian Ocean Way vessel docks at Socotra, captain needs medical aid

Stanislav Beryozkin was taken to a hospital to undergo thorough examination, with all the required tests made

Slovakia to oppose Ukraine’s NATO membership bid — PM

Meanwhile, Slovakia supports Ukraine’s accession to the European Union

Volume of frozen Russian assets in Germany reaches around €3.9 bln

This figure includes frozen assets of individuals and legal entities included in the sanctions list, such as cash, corporate investments, and yachts

Prices for cocoa beans reach all-time high exceeding $11,000 per ton — ICE Futures data

The previous all-time high exchange price for cocoa beans was recorded on March 26, when it reached $10,080 per ton

No official invitation to attend celebration of 80th anniversary of Normandy invasion yet

It was earlier reported that France plans to invite Russia to attend the commemorative events in Normandy on June 6

Hamas not to make any concessions on Israeli troops’ withdrawal from Gaza

Izzat al-Rishq noted that Israel’s attempts to release its hostages held by radicals in the Gaza Strip have failed and "there is no alternative to a real deal on this matter with Palestinian groups"

Russian Su-34 jets destroy Ukrainian command post with high-explosive aerial bombs

"The strike was carried out with ODAB-500 high-explosive aerial bombs with a universal planning and correction module," the Russian Defense Ministry reported

US, UK strikes harm Yemeni settlement prospects — Russian mission to UN

"Such actions harm the intra-Yemeni settlement, undermining the efforts of international and regional mediators," Dmitry Polyansky noted

Italy’s minister estimates Israeli capability to defend from Iranian attack at one billion

Guido Crosetto didn’t specify whether the currency he meant was dollars or euros

US House could consider separate bills on aid to Israel, Ukraine this week — report

US House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the plans in a private meeting with GOP lawmakers on Monday, Politico said

Ukraine offers to use neighbors' air defense systems to protect its gas storage facilities

According to German Galushchenko, the issue has been discussed, and "everyone is quite positive about it"

Israel remains on highest alert as it chooses response to Iran’s attack — senior commander

"Iran will face the consequences for its actions," IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said

Putin, Raisi set for expansion of cooperation between Russia, Iran — Kremlin

It is noted that the two leaders also discussed the latest escalation in the Middle East

Macron draws distinction between Israeli, Russian Olympic participation

The French leader stressed that Israel was responding to a terrorist attack

Avtotor launches production of Jetour Dashing crossover in Kaliningrad

General agreement includes organizing the production of the brand’s products in Russia and gradually increasing the level of localization

'Iron Dome' can't fully protect from UAV swarms — Chinese expert

According to Wei Dongxu, Tehran's firepower can cover most of the Middle East region, representing a fierce and precise long-range retaliatory means

Construction of future manned spacecraft reached its final stage — Roscosmos CEO

The spacecraft’s first flight is planned for 2028, Yury Borisov said

Russian security chief urges measures against 'ethnic enclaves' in Russia

The Russian president has ordered that migration policy be overhauled taking into account the national interests and security of the population, and the importance of preserving Russia’s culture and language, Nikolay Patrushev reiterated

Official labels Ukrainian claims about Russia hitting nuclear facility 'total lie'

"Undoubtedly, everything that is going on today, carries a direct threat to nuclear safety," Renat Karchaa reiterated

Senior Russian diplomat warns about proportional response to threats coming from Finland

According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, many of such measures have already been announced

Olympic flame lit in Ancient Olympia, kicking off 2024 Paris Summer Games journey

The traditional event of lighting the Olympic flame was attended by Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach, President of the Greek National Olympic Committee Spyros Capralos and other officials

Turkish-mediated Black Sea security pact crumbles as Ukraine backs out — Reuters

According to the draft agreement, seen by the agency, the parties would have extended security guarantees to merchant vessels in the Black Sea, as they committed not to strike or search them as long as they had declared a non-military cargo

Freshly mobilized Ukrainian soldiers holding first-line defense in Chasov Yar, says DPR

Igor Kimakovsky said that the Ukrainian combat group in Chasov Yar is suffering heavy casualties

Ukrainian troops hunker down in abandoned apartments in Kherson — governor

Vladimir Saldo added that troops use at their discretion the possessions of the people who used to live in these apartments

Russia, Belarus boosting interaction despite sanctions

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin added that the record-high indicator of mutual trade turnover is $45.2 bln

Georgian parliament passes bill on foreign agents in first reading

The hearing took place amid a heated debate between representatives of the ruling Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia party and the opposition

Moscow follows meeting between Scholz, Xi — senior Russian diplomat

The German chancellor is in China on an official visit from April 14-16

Over 80 Ukrainian drones suppressed, downed in Kherson Region over day

According to Vladimir Saldo, during the night there was a strike on the Ukrainian troops' landing zone on the right bank of the Dnieper River, nine boats and up to 20 militants were destroyed