The Russian space agency announced that its design council has advised extending the operational life of the Russian segment of the International Space Station through 2028. This plan will be reviewed at the next Roskosmos scientific and technical council meeting, after which a formal government appeal will be prepared by the State Agency based on the council’s findings.
In addition, Roskosmos and its ISS partners have approved safety measures intended to protect crew members in the event of an emergency aboard the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft. These precautions were communicated through the state agency’s official Telegram channel, underscoring a coordinated, multilateral approach to crew safety amid ongoing station operations.
According to Roskosmos, the International Space Station and its critical life support systems are functioning normally. However, should an emergency require evacuation, the crew would return to Earth before the Soyuz MS-23 becomes available, ensuring there is a reliable contingency access path to the planet if immediate transfer is needed.
If an evacuation becomes necessary, a Crew Dragon capsule named Rubio would be deployed to bring the crew back to the planet. This plan reflects collaboration with partner agencies and the use of alternative transportation options to safeguard the crew during a potential emergency scenario.
The state company added that Russian cosmonauts would later complete a return flight to Earth aboard a mission involving the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft, which continues to be monitored for the performance of its cooling system and overall reliability as part of the ongoing station operations.