Moscow. September 21. INTERFAX-The administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Bill Nelson, announced plans to visit Russia in the near future, follows from the NASA broadcast.
"In the near future, depending on the pandemic. I hope that we will cope with the delta option. There are fears that new variants of infection will appear. I am vaccinated and I hope to visit Russia in the near future, " the administrator said at the management conference, answering a question about coming to Russia.
"I have spoken with Dmitry (Rogozin - IF) several times, and Bob (Kabano - IF) has also spoken with colleagues from the Russian space program several times. We really hope to come to Moscow and see them, " Nelson added.
Earlier, the head of Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin, reported that his meeting with Nelson could take place before the end of the year, if the epidemiological situation allows.
"Yes, we are looking forward to the arrival of the head of NASA, Senator Bill Nelson. There are issues that make sense to discuss in person. I hope that Senator Nelson will be able to carry out his visit to Russia before the end of this year, if the epidemiological situation allows," Rogozin said on Twitter.
Earlier, the head of the state corporation said that the issue of Russia's presence on the International Space Station (ISS) will be resolved in the coming months. "This is a question that will find its solution in the next few months, "Rogozin said in an interview with the Echo of Moscow radio station.
Earlier, the deputy general director of the Russian state Corporation for International Cooperation, Sergey Saveliev, told Interfax that Rogozin and Nelson plan to meet twice before the end of the year - in October in Dubai and in November-December in Russia.
According to him, in the UAE, Roscosmos plans to raise the issue of lifting sanctions against the Russian space industry. "We will raise the issue of sanctions, "Saveliev told Interfax on the sidelines of the Army - 2021 forum.
He noted that the agenda of the meeting is just being formed and NASA has not yet announced whether they are ready to discuss this issue. It is also planned to discuss "joint work on the ISS and other projects"during the meeting.
In early June, it was reported that Nelson, during telephone conversations with Rogozin, accepted his invitation to visit Russia.