Russia and the USA have resumed negotiations on the new joint projects on the International Space Station, “Izvestia” writes, referring to the first deputy director of the Institute of Biomedical Problems of RAS Oleg Orlov. According to his words, they speak of general scientific research and joint use of the equipment located in the Russian and American space station modules.

      “Roscosmos set the task to intensify the scientific program performed on the ISS. We are ready for this. In particular, we discuss the possibility of consolidating the resources of the Russian and American segments of the ISS with our American partners in order to conduct a part of the research together. The scientists could use the technical possibilities available on board of both Russians and Americans. It is possible to speak about a more active engagement of the crew in the scientific program” - Orlov reported.

      The Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said in mid-May that Russia will focus its funds on new space projects, which are more promising than the ISS, after 2020. Later he added that Russia sees no commercial sense in participating in the ISS project after 2020, since it “consumes more than a third of the budget of Roscosmos”.

      “We do not go out (of the ISS), but it was designed until 2020, and we adhere to our international obligations until 2020 and obtain, among other things, the contract money for transportation of American astronauts” - he explained. “But we have big doubts, whether to renew the program up to 2024 or not” – Rogozin added.