NASA Admin to Attend Soyuz Launch, Eyes Roscosmos Cooperation | Space News
- WASHINGTON – NASA is signaling a continued commitment to cooperation with Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions.
- Isaacman’s comments, made during a press conference following the February 13, 2026 Crew-12 launch to the ISS, indicate a proactive approach to sustaining collaboration in space.
- The planned attendance is noteworthy, as it would mark the first time a NASA administrator has observed a Soyuz launch since October 2018, when then-Administrator Jim Bridenstine witnessed...
WASHINGTON – NASA is signaling a continued commitment to cooperation with Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has expressed interest in attending an upcoming Soyuz launch and meeting with his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Bakanov, signaling a desire to maintain a working relationship centered around the International Space Station (ISS).
Isaacman’s comments, made during a press conference following the Crew-12 launch to the ISS, indicate a proactive approach to sustaining collaboration in space. He specifically plans to attend the launch of Soyuz MS-29, scheduled for this summer from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. This mission will carry NASA astronaut Anil Menon, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina, to the orbiting laboratory.
The planned attendance is noteworthy, as it would mark the first time a NASA administrator has observed a Soyuz launch since , when then-Administrator Jim Bridenstine witnessed the launch of Soyuz MS-10. That mission experienced an in-flight abort, but the crew safely returned to Earth. The gap in attendance underscores the strain placed on US-Russia space relations in recent years.
This renewed engagement follows a period of limited direct contact between the agencies. The last face-to-face meeting between the heads of NASA and Roscosmos occurred in , when NASA’s acting administrator, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, met with Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Bakanov at the Kennedy Space Center prior to the Crew-11 launch.
Isaacman’s stated intention to meet with Bakanov builds on this recent re-engagement. “I know that we’re making preparations for a discussion with my counterpart at the earliest opportunity,” he said. However, the scope of potential cooperation appears to be focused primarily on the ISS.
The ISS remains a critical area of collaboration, even as broader geopolitical relations between the United States and Russia remain fraught. Following the invasion of Ukraine, U.S. Sanctions have limited cooperation to the ISS, which is currently the only joint project between the two agencies. Bakanov has previously indicated a desire to broaden cooperation beyond the ISS, but Isaacman’s focus remains firmly on maintaining the station’s operations.
“The space station is going to still be up there for a long time,” Isaacman emphasized. “There is a lot that we need to accomplish together in the years ahead. A lot of opportunity for good conversation.” This suggests a pragmatic approach, prioritizing the continuation of a vital scientific platform despite broader political challenges.
Previous attempts to schedule a meeting between NASA and Roscosmos leadership have faced obstacles. Bakanov had invited Duffy to Moscow around the time of the Soyuz MS-28 launch, but that meeting did not materialize. The timing also shifted with Isaacman’s renomination as NASA administrator.
Isaacman’s outreach extends beyond Russia. Just two days prior to his comments on Roscosmos, he met with Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), in Washington D.C. While details of that meeting were limited, both sides emphasized a strong partnership, particularly as NASA progresses towards its Artemis program aimed at returning humans to the Moon.
Isaacman stated on social media that ESA’s contributions will be “important as we build a sustained lunar presence and prepare for missions beyond.” Aschbacher echoed this sentiment, noting full alignment on shared objectives related to the Moon, Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and Mars. This highlights NASA’s strategy of diversifying its partnerships to ensure the success of its ambitious space exploration goals.
The continued dialogue with Roscosmos, alongside strengthened ties with ESA, underscores NASA’s commitment to international collaboration as a cornerstone of its space program. While the future of US-Russia relations remains uncertain, the agency appears determined to maintain a functional working relationship, at least within the confines of the ISS, to ensure the continued operation of this vital scientific outpost.