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Space Exploration

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    $\begingroup$ A side note: Russia may currently be weaker than the US alone, but its relations with China are fairly strong (see Wikipedia) and Russia and China in concert might prove to be a formidable competitor in a reignited space race, were one to occur. $\endgroup$
    – called2voyage ♦
    Commented May 13, 2014 at 21:18
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    $\begingroup$ It might also be worthwhile to note, in case the OP and others are unaware, that even if the US part of the ISS could survive on its own, we currently have no way of ferrying people to and from the ISS without Russian spacecraft. $\endgroup$
    – called2voyage ♦
    Commented May 13, 2014 at 21:22
  • $\begingroup$ Give SpaceX a year or two... wunderground.com/news/spacex-sending-humans-to-space-20130110 $\endgroup$
    – PearsonArtPhoto ♦
    Commented May 14, 2014 at 1:29
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    $\begingroup$ It is also worthwhile to note that the US segment is what provides the capability for round-the-clock communications via the TDRSS network. Russian assets currently only support communications when ISS is within line-of-sight to Russian ground stations, which happens approximately two hours per day. Furthermore, until Russia launches the SPM, it is dependent on the US operating segment to supply a substantial amount of electrical power. $\endgroup$
    – Tristan
    Commented May 14, 2014 at 16:21
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    $\begingroup$ The SpaceX orientated comments here made me smile, 6 years on... $\endgroup$
    – Moo
    Commented Mar 29, 2020 at 5:48