MOSCOW – Dmitry Bakanov, the head of Roscosmos, has announced his intention to meet and hold discussions with NASA`s leadership in the United States. These high-level talks are scheduled to occur during the launch of a Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying a Russian cosmonaut.
Bakanov emphasized the ongoing collaborative initiatives between the two space agencies. «We have joint projects, such as the International Space Station, which includes both Russian and American segments. We also engage in cross-flights,» Bakanov stated during a broadcast on the RBC television channel. He cited a recent example: a Soyuz mission from Baikonur that transported two Russian cosmonauts, Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky, alongside NASA astronaut Jonathan Kim.
He further elaborated on the reciprocal nature of these missions: «Subsequently, from Cape Canaveral in Florida, two American astronauts and our Russian cosmonaut are launched aboard a Falcon rocket and Dragon spacecraft. We have been invited to attend this specific launch, and we will conduct a series of negotiations concerning future interactions and cooperation between Roscosmos and NASA.»
While Bakanov did not specify the exact launch he was referring to, the next cross-flight involving an American spacecraft is anticipated for July 31, which is expected to include Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov as part of its crew.
Original Publication Date: July 28, 2025
