Kanishka Sharma

(Reuters) – President Joe Biden’s administration has pledged to extend the International Space Station operations until 2030, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced on Friday.

Nelson stated that the Biden administration has committed to continuing research in orbiting laboratories through the remainder of the decade with international partners. The United States and Russia have worked closely in cooperation at the International Space Station over the past two decades.

Officials from the United States stated in November that a Russian anti-satellite missile testing had created a low-Earth orbit debris field that threatened the station. This will continue to pose a danger for space activities over many years.

If approved by international partners, and funded by Congress, the station will continue to operate until 2030. The current funding authorization for the station is by Congress, which will continue through 2024.

Interfax reported that in August, Russia and the United States would continue to work together on ISS. The report cited a Roscosmos official.

Nelson released a statement Friday by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. He stated, “As more and greater nations become active in space it’s more essential than ever that America continues to lead the global in growing international alliances and modelling rules and normsfor the peaceful and responsibly use of space”.

The tensions between Russia, the United States and other countries are not limited to issues related to space. Biden and Vladimir Putin, the Russian President of Russia, exchanged threats over Ukraine on Thursday. But they also expressed optimism about diplomatic talks that could reduce spiraling tensions in January.