What happens to ISS?

[MOTORVATOR]

How comfortable do you think he felt on take off?

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/russian-us-astronauts-put...

Would it ever be used as a political pawn? Has the current situation altered US perceptions of space lift capability?

[Eric Mc]

MOTORVATOR said:

Has the current situation altered US perceptions of space lift capability?

If it hasn't - it should.

Being totally dependent on another country in such matters is always going to be risky - especially if the other country is one where the relationship is always uneasy.

[Moonhawk]

I was thinking the same thing.

It doesn't do well to piss of the country you are relying on to get your astronauts to and from the ISS. What happens if Russia see their backsides over the US interfering?

[Eric Mc]

At the moment the Russians are being paid well for this taxi service - so they are probably biting their tongues at the moment and taking the cash.

[Simpo Two]

Morals vs money... tough call. But I think the Russians are cute enough to take the money.

Then again I suppose that if the Russians have the only way to get people on/off the ISS, they can annexe the ISS just as they did Crimea...

[Eric Mc]

They could wait until they have four Russian cosmonauts on board v' two non- Russians, have a referendum and then annexe the station on the basis that the majority of those on board the station want it to be Russian.

[hidetheelephants]

Eric Mc said:

At the moment the Russians are being paid well for this taxi service - so they are probably biting their tongues at the moment and taking the cash.

It won't be long until that nice Mr Musk has a big and reliable enough firework to launch people as well as stuff.

[Engineer1]

Eric Mc said:

They could wait until they have four Russian cosmonauts on board v' two non- Russians, have a referendum and then annexe the station on the basis that the majority of those on board the station want it to be Russian.

Why not send the none Russians on an EVA then get 100% of those present wanting it to be Russian, they can then decide if they want to let none Russians into their territory or not

[Simpo Two]

Eric Mc said:

They could wait until they have four Russian cosmonauts on board v' two non- Russians, have a referendum and then annexe the station on the basis that the majority of those on board the station want it to be Russian.

A bit of fake democracy has always suited dictators well. Though would whatever they stand to gain be worth the political furore that followed?

I heard mutterings on the news last might about a 'military response' to the Ukraine situation... in fact, for all practical purposes, Russia can do what the heck it likes.

[Eric Mc]

Engineer1 said:

Why not send the none Russians on an EVA then get 100% of those present wanting it to be Russian, they can then decide if they want to let none Russians into their territory or not

Shades of "Open the pod-bay doors Hal".

[Hooli]

Eric Mc said:

Engineer1 said:

Why not send the none Russians on an EVA then get 100% of those present wanting it to be Russian, they can then decide if they want to let none Russians into their territory or not

Shades of "Open the pod-bay doors Hal".

My first thought was 'Open the pod bay doors Mikhal'

[MartG]

Engineer1 said:

Why not send the none Russians on an EVA then get 100% of those present wanting it to be Russian, they can then decide if they want to let none Russians into their territory or not

And anyone excluded can then decide how much of the exterior to wreck

[Engineer1]

Provided Mr flibble the king of the potato people hasn't decided the EVA is performed W.O.O

[Dr G]

I'm not talking to you!

http://www.theverge.com/2014/4/2/5574896/nasa-susp...

[Eric Mc]

Watch this space.

[MartG]

Dr G said:

I'm not talking to you!

http://www.theverge.com/2014/4/2/5574896/nasa-susp...

Oddly reminiscent of the situation aboard Leonov in the movie 2010