Speaking to President Putin as reported by the Kremlin, Borisov said: “You know that we are working within the framework of international cooperation at the International Space Station. Undoubtedly, we will fulfil all our obligations to our partners, but the decision to leave the station after 2024 has been made,” said Borisov.
To which Putin is reported to have replied: “Good.”
Borisov added: “I think that by this time we will start putting together a Russian orbital station.”
The ISS involves the US, Russia, Japan, Canada and the European Space Agency. It was planned to last until 2030.
Whether or not it can stay operational without the Russians is not known. The Russians have been needed to keep pushing the station higher to stop it falling. The Americans may be able to do this with robotic freighters but the technique has not proven.
The co-operation has worked since 1998.
