NASA Would Rather Not Talk About The Whole Russian Invasion Thing

Keith’s note: At the post-launch press event today Roscosmos representative Sergei Krikalev was asked if his upbeat and professional tone was an attempt to dial back the behavior of the former head of Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin. He gave a one word response: “Yes”, smiled, and there was laughter in the room.

That said Krikalev et al are trying to keep the whole cooperation thing going – and they did not start the war in Ukraine, so I suppose they need to be cut some slack. But Russia has used the ISS more than once as a photo op backdrop for pro-Russian military efforts in Ukraine – so this topic should not be out of bounds.

It is somewhat odd that Sergei Krikalev smiles and laughs about the behavior of Rogozin in an official capacity i.e. the horrid things he said about NASA and his coarse, unvarnished support for the brutal invasion of Ukraine by Russia. This is serious life and death stuff folks.

It is good that this issue was asked by someone in the media since NASA PAO limits who can ask questions for fear of raising tensions – they stopped sending me advanced dial-in information, FWIW. Alas the invasion of Ukraine by Russia is a touchy topic – even when it comes to ISS – so don’t expect much of a discussion about that ‘elephant in the space capsule’.