Roscosmos believes that the current U.S. sanctions imposed against Russia can affect the current cooperation between the two countries in the International Space Station.

(Photo : Photo by ALEXEY NIKOLSKY/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) and the State space corporation Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin (L) listen to Director of Russian rocket engine manufacturer NPO Energomash Igor Arbuzov in Khimki, outside Moscow on April 12, 2019. (Photo by Alexey NIKOLSKY / SPUTNIK / AFP)

In the worst-case scenario, Russia's space agency said that the sanctions could end the collaboration of the U.S. and Russian astronauts in space.

Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Rogozin shared their option if the sanctions against Russia become worse.

Roscosmos on US Sanctions' Effects

Rogozin posted a tweet explaining what might happen if the current U.S. sanctions continue to affect their country.

(Photo : Photo by NASA via Getty Images)
In this NASA handout, the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle Discovery begin their relative separation after their crewmembers concluded nine days of cooperative work August 6, 2005. Undocking occurred at 2:24 a.m. (CDT), August 6, 2005. Space shuttle Discovery is scheduled to return to Earth August 8.

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"There is also the option of dropping a 500-ton structure to India and China. Do you want to threaten them with such a prospect?" said Roscosmos' director general via his official Twitter account.

He added that the International Space Station does not cover Russia's area as it orbits the planet. Dmitry even said that all the risks would be against U.S. and other countries.

He further explained that if the American nation doesn't want ISS to have an uncontrolled deorbit, the U.S. should not behave irresponsibly.

Sanctions Against Russia

Russia is currently facing various sanctions from the United States and NATO. These include blocking the export of technology. 

U.S. President Joe Biden said that this sanction would prevent or limit the Russian government from operating its military and aerospace sector. 

But, NASA said that sanctions would not really endanger the space cooperation between the United States and Russia. 

The international space union added that the technology export blockage would not interrupt the current US-Russia civil space cooperation. Right now, the Russian space agency is still working with NASA as they further study the universe. 

However, this ongoing cooperation will still depend if the U.S. government and NATO will further impose new sanctions that might prevent Roscosmos from conducting their space activities properly. 

In other news, ISS' ultrasonic tweezers were recently tested. Meanwhile, European astronauts previously announced independence in the International Space Station. 

For more news updates about ISS and other space topics, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

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Written by: Griffin Davis