How International Space Station crews navigate the geopolitical divide between Russia and the United States

Space · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Despite significant geopolitical tensions, the United States and Russia maintain a functional partnership in space. Astronauts and cosmonauts continue to share flights and work together on the International Space Station, demonstrating a unique form of cooperation that persists even when relations between their home nations are strained by terrestrial conflicts.

The collaboration between the United States and Russia on the International Space Station serves as a rare point of stability in an otherwise fraught bilateral relationship. While the two nations were once fierce rivals during the Cold War space race, they have evolved into partners on the orbiting laboratory. This cooperation has remained intact even after tensions escalated significantly following Moscow's 2022 military actions in Ukraine. Both countries continue to facilitate crew rotations, with astronauts and cosmonauts regularly launching on each other's spacecraft to reach the station.

Logistical operations following a mission highlight this ongoing integration. Upon landing in the steppes of Kazakhstan, crews are typically transported to Karaganda. From there, NASA personnel often depart for the Johnson Space Center in Houston, while Russian cosmonauts head to their training base in Star City, located near Moscow. This routine, observed in missions ranging from the 2012 Expedition 31 to more recent flights in 2026, underscores a persistent operational reliance. The continuity of these missions is further evidenced by high-level diplomatic engagement, such as the 2026 visit to the Baikonur cosmodrome by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, marking the first such visit by a NASA chief in eight years.

The nature of these missions varies in duration, with recent stints lasting approximately eight months. For instance, the crew of the Soyuz MS-28 completed a 241-day mission in 2026, while the 2012 Expedition 31 crew spent 193 days in space. These missions often involve a mix of first-time space travelers and experienced veterans, all working within the framework of the International Space Station. This enduring partnership suggests that the shared objective of maintaining the orbiting outpost remains a priority for both Washington and Moscow, transcending the political friction that characterizes their interactions on Earth.

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