The U.S. Sun by G. P. Rodriguez 2/26/2022
MERCY MISSION Elon Musk says SpaceX will rescue ISS if Russia tries to drop it from orbit after threats by Putin’s space chief
ELON Musk has said SpaceX will rescue the International Space Station if Russia tries to drop it from orbit after threats by Vladimir Putin's space chief.Dimitry Rogozin warned that Russian tech and expertise is needed to prevent the ISS from crashing down onto the US or Europe.
Elon Musk claimed SpaceX would rescue the International Space Station after threats from Russian leadership
The SpaceX founder replied 'yes' when asked if SpaceX would save the ISS
"If you block cooperation with us, who will save the ISS from an uncontrolled deorbit and fall into the United States and Europe?" Rogozin tweeted on Friday, following president Joe Biden's announcement of sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
But Musk weighed in by replying to Rogozin's threat with the SpaceX logo.
When a Twitter user asked the billionaire if this meant SpaceX would keep the ISS from falling onto Earth, Musk replied: "Yes."
He also replied to a tweet that showed the ISS without the Russian segment and a SpaceX Dragon attached instead.
"Good thread," Musk wrote.
Russia is a key part of the 15-nation partnership that has kept the ISS orbiting Earth for 23 years but relations are at an all-time low because of Russia's decision to invade Ukraine.
On Thursday, Joe Biden unveiled new sanctions that he said would "degrade" Russia's "aerospace industry, including their space program."
Roscosmos Director General Rogozin then warned that Russian engines control the station's orbit and location.
"There is also the possibility of a 500-ton structure falling on India and China," added Rogozin.
"Do you want to threaten them with such a prospect?
"The ISS does not fly over Russia, therefore all the risks are yours. Are you ready for them?"
The comments are an escalation from remarks made by the Roscosmos boss just days before, when he tweeted that Russia "treasures" its relationship with Nasa and would "make every effort to continue as before" regardless of "disagreements between our countries".
More:
https://www.the-sun.com/tech/4777695/elon-musk-spacex-iss-russia-putins-space-chief/
