Russia is preparing to leave the International Space Station (ISS) at the end of this decade but faces major hurdles in building its own replacement, the Russian Orbital Service Station (ROSS).
With sanctions restricting access to key space technologies, a shrinking space budget and growing delays in rocket and satellite development, experts say Russia’s ambitions for an independent space station may not materialise as planned. Despite publicly announced plans to launch ROSS's first module by 2027, analysts warn that the project is already facing technical and financial challenges, with little certainty over whether Russia can maintain its role as a leading space power.
“Russia's ability to develop its own orbital station is questionable,” Dr Pavel Luzin, a Russian political analyst and visiting scholar at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, told The National. “What we know is that there is one orbital module under construction since the early 2010s, the Scientific and Energy Module, and this module needs to be redesigned because at the beginning it was aimed for the ISS, not for a standalone mission.”
Russia joined forces with the US, Europe, Japan and Canada in 1998 to build the ISS, marking one of the most successful examples of post-Cold War collaboration. As geopolitical divisions deepen, however, Russia is looking for space partners outside the West, particularly China and other non-aligned nations.
Challenges on the horizon
But the development of ROSS comes as Russia’s space industry struggles with severe workforce shortages, ageing infrastructure and geopolitical isolation. “Actually, Russia is trying to keep its manned and military programme at any cost, but the space industry of Russia is not doing well. The number of engineers is decreasing, and the number of well-qualified engineers is decreasing even faster,” said Dr Luzin.
Sanctions imposed by the US, UK, Canada and other allied nations after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 have crippled its ability to source advanced space technologies, particularly in satellite manufacturing.
“The sanctions have damaged Russia's space capabilities significantly,” said Dr Luzin. “Russia almost lost the ability to develop advanced satellites. All the big satellites orbited in 2022-2024 and planned for orbiting in 2025 are made with Western components imported before 2022 and sometimes before 2014.”
Scepticism over space plans
Sahith Madara, an aerospace engineer and founder of the advisory firm Bumi and Space, based in Paris, echoed Mr Luzin’s thoughts on how realistic a goal the project is. “ROSS seems like a tough bet given Russia’s shrinking space budget. With funding around $2 billion a year – way behind Nasa or China – it’s hard to see how they’ll fully finance and build an independent station on schedule,” he told The National.
“Sanctions and supply chain issues aren’t helping either, making things even more complicated. Delays feel almost inevitable. Russia has a history of slipping timelines (just look at the Angara rocket or the Luna-25 mission), and a project as big as ROSS is no exception. They’re aiming for 2027, but without major outside funding, maybe from China or other allies, it could easily drag into the 2030s.”
Military space ambitions take priority
To compensate, Moscow is increasingly prioritising military space activities, strengthening ties with China and other non-Western partners as it moves away from international co-operation in civilian space flight. “The plan for the Russian Orbital Service Station is ambitious, but at the same time, their military space ambitions are picking up speed,” said Mr Madara.
Since 2022, Russia has launched satellites with clear defence applications, including reconnaissance, electronic warfare and early warning systems. It has also reportedly been experimenting with anti-satellite weapons: military-grade weapons designed to destroy satellites.
“Space is becoming another front in the global defence competition, and Russia isn’t sitting this one out,” said Mr Madara. “Their growing collaborations, like launching satellites for Iran, suggest they’re building alliances in space that align with their geopolitical strategy, rather than relying on Western-led initiatives."
China: Russia's new friend in space
One question that looms over Russia’s ambition to build ROSS is whether China will step in as a key partner. The two countries have strengthened their collaboration in recent years, with China offering an alternative market for Russian technology and a potential ally in lunar exploration. In 2021, China and Russia officially announced their partnership for the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a long-term project aimed at establishing a permanent base on the Moon.
The agreement marked one of the most significant space collaborations between the two nations. Despite this partnership, China appears to be firmly in the driver’s seat, while Russia’s role remains secondary. But despite their geopolitical alignment, experts say a partnership beyond ILRS is unlikely, especially in low-Earth orbit.
"China is hardly going to join Russia there because it has its own orbital station and own space strategy," said Dr Luzin. "Moreover, the planned parameters of the new station's orbit will make it hard to get there from other launch sites except Vostochny on Russian territory." China’s Tiangong space station is already operational, with astronauts who are currently living and working there.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
MATCH INFO
Jersey 147 (20 overs)
UAE 112 (19.2 overs)
Jersey win by 35 runs
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Crazy Rich Asians
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeon, Gemma Chan
Four stars
CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
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Empire of Enchantment: The Story of Indian Magic
John Zubrzycki, Hurst Publishers
JAPAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Masaaki Higashiguchi, Shuichi Gonda, Daniel Schmidt
Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo, Tomoaki Makino, Maya Yoshida, Sho Sasaki, Hiroki Sakai, Sei Muroya, Genta Miura, Takehiro Tomiyasu
Midfielders: Toshihiro Aoyama, Genki Haraguchi, Gaku Shibasaki, Wataru Endo, Junya Ito, Shoya Nakajima, Takumi Minamino, Hidemasa Morita, Ritsu Doan
Forwards: Yuya Osako, Takuma Asano, Koya Kitagawa
SPECS
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Profile of RentSher
Started: October 2015 in India, November 2016 in UAE
Founders: Harsh Dhand; Vaibhav and Purvashi Doshi
Based: Bangalore, India and Dubai, UAE
Sector: Online rental marketplace
Size: 40 employees
Investment: $2 million
Shooting Ghosts: A U.S. Marine, a Combat Photographer, and Their Journey Back from War by Thomas J. Brennan and Finbarr O’Reilly
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE WARRIORS RESULTS
Featherweight
Azouz Anwar (EGY) beat Marcelo Pontes (BRA)
TKO round 2
Catchweight 90kg
Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) beat Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)
Split points decision
Welterweight
Gimbat Ismailov (RUS) beat Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR)
TKO round 1
Flyweight (women)
Lucie Bertaud (FRA) beat Kelig Pinson (BEL)
Unanimous points decision
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) beat Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)
TKO round 1
Catchweight 100kg
Marc Vleiger (NED) beat Mohamed Ali (EGY)
Rear neck choke round 1
Featherweight
James Bishop (NZ) beat Mark Valerio (PHI)
TKO round 2
Welterweight
Abdelghani Saber (EGY) beat Gerson Carvalho (BRA)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) beat Igor Litoshik (BLR)
Unanimous points decision
Bantamweight
Fabio Mello (BRA) beat Mark Alcoba (PHI)
Unanimous points decision
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magomedsultanov (RUS)
TKO round 1
Bantamweight
Trent Girdham (AUS) beat Jayson Margallo (PHI)
TKO round 3
Lightweight
Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) beat Roman Golovinov (UKR)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Steve Kennedy (AUS)
Submission round 2
Lightweight
Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)
TKO round 2
Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Results:
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 (PA) | Group 1 US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres
Winner: Goshawke, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) | Listed $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Silva, Oisin Murphy, Pia Brendt
7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) | Conditions $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m
Winner: Golden Jaguar, Connor Beasley, Ahmad bin Harmash
8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) | Group 3 $200,000 (D) | 1,200m
Winner: Drafted, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Capezzano, Mickael Barzalona, Sandeep Jadhav
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m
Winner: Oasis Charm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
Winner: Escalator, Christopher Hayes, Charlie Fellowes
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Croatia v Hungary, Thursday, 10.45pm, UAE
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
FOOTBALL TEST
Team X 1 Team Y 0
Scorers
Red card
Man of the Match
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Results
Catchweight 60kg: Mohammed Al Katheeri (UAE) beat Mostafa El Hamy (EGY) TKO round 3
Light Heavyweight: Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) no contest Kevin Oumar (COM) Unintentional knee by Oumer
Catchweight 73kg: Yazid Chouchane (ALG) beat Ahmad Al Boussairy (KUW) Unanimous decision
Featherweight: Faris Khaleel Asha (JOR) beat Yousef Al Housani (UAE) TKO in round 2 through foot injury
Welterweight: Omar Hussein (JOR) beat Yassin Najid (MAR); Split decision
Middleweight: Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) beat Sallah Eddine Dekhissi (MAR); Round-1 TKO
Lightweight: Abdullah Mohammed Ali Musalim (UAE) beat Medhat Hussein (EGY); Triangle choke submission
Welterweight: Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW) beat Sofiane Oudina (ALG); Triangle choke Round-1
Lightweight: Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Saleem Al Bakri (JOR); Unanimous decision
Bantamweight: Ali Taleb (IRQ) beat Nawras Abzakh (JOR); TKO round-2
Catchweight 63kg: Rany Saadeh (PAL) beat Abdel Ali Hariri (MAR); Unanimous decision
