Russia plans a new space station, here's all you need to know

Russia has announced a timeline for creating the four-module core of its new orbital space station by 2030 as the International Space Station (ISS) approaches the end of its operational life.

Roscosmos space agency earlier on Tuesday reported that key contracts had been signed for building a Russian space station. Yuri Borisov, who is the head of Roscosmos, signed off on the timetable with the directors of 19 enterprises involved in creating the new station.

Interfax reported that Borisov said in televised remarks that Russia cannot allow a pause in its piloted space programme, considering the condition of the ISS.

Roscosmos said that the station's deployment is expected to start with the launch of a science and power module in 2027 and the core of the station as part of implementing the federal project is expected to consist of four modules to be placed into orbit before 2030.

The space agency said that two more specialised modules will be attached to the station at the second stage between 2031 and 2033.

It mentioned in its report that the overall planned amount of financing for the project is "estimated at 608.9 billion rubles".

ISS is a large space station which has been assembled and maintained in low Earth orbit. It is a collaboration of five space agencies: NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ESA, CSA, and their contractors.

But the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has already told the world that the ISS, the largest space station ever built, will plunge into the Pacific Ocean in early 2031.

"All of you are perfectly aware of the ISS's condition. Most importantly, we cannot allow a pause in our piloted programme," Borisov said on the Rossiya-24 (VGTRK) television channel.

Borisov said that the Russian space station programme provides for "building not only a station itself, but also ground infrastructure, as well as timely preparing all the necessary launch vehicles for their missions".

"A new space centre from where it will be launched, a new launch vehicle, a new manned spacecraft [...] This is going to be a permanent lab for testing all technical and technological innovations," he further added.

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As quoted by Interfax, Vladimir Kozhevnikov, the chief designer of Russia's future space station, said in an interview, "The main challenge is the very scope of the work that needs to be done within a compressed timeframe, because this is the biggest project in Russia's space history."

Kozhevnikov added that artificial intelligence will be employed in the Russian space station's operations.

(With inputs from agencies)