Eight ways Russia’s war in Ukraine is affecting space exploration
A sector that was always shielded from political struggles on ground is becoming increasingly vulnerable after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Sanctions imposed on Russia by the US , the UK, the EU and Japan are affecting activities in space as Russia suspended co-operation with many countries in response to the sanctions. Germany suspended all scientific co-operation with Russia, which also stopped all Soyuz rocket launches from a French Guiana spaceport. The National highlights eight ways space exploration is being affected. Launch of UK’s OneWeb satellites cancelled Russia has refused to launch 36 OneWeb satellites, which belong to a UK start-up. It gave the company an ultimatum to sever links with the UK government for the launch to go ahead, but the company refused. Russia’s demands were in response to sanctions imposed on it by the UK. On March 4, the satellites were removed from the launch pad at Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The cosmodrome has been the launch site fo...