The new director of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Bill Nelson, may visit Russia before the end of 2021. This was announced on Saturday, June 5, by the head of Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).
"I expect that he will come within this year. Maybe we'll look at one of the launches, " Rogozin said.
The head of the state corporation expressed hope that the strengthening of relations with Nelson will allow restoring dialogue with the United States.
"He is certainly a very experienced person, close to the current US president, which is good. Because if we manage to explain all the incidents and absurdities that occurred under the US sanctions against the Russian industry, and NASA, as part of the partners, will advocate for the continuation of this interaction, then there is a chance to improve our relations and restore a normal dialogue," Rogozin said.
He added that he plans to show Nelson the enterprises of the space industry and introduce him to the designers.
"I will do my best to establish a personal and confidential dialogue with this experienced and respected man, Mr. Nelson. Therefore, I am waiting for him in my family, and I hope that he will also come with his relatives and close relatives. We will try to show him the Russia that he does not know. We will show the industry, go to the enterprises. Let's talk. I will introduce him to our leading designers, "the head of Roscosmos concluded.
On June 4, Dmitry Rogozin held telephone talks with Nelson, during which he noted the counterproductivity of sanctions against the Russian space industry. In addition, the head of NASA called for the extension of the ISS operation until 2030.
