More Than Symbolism in Space

It’s been too long since either Russia or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration had much to crow about. NASA is smarting from the apparent staggering failure of the Mars Observer, a string of scrubbed shuttle launches and constant congressional whittling at the budget for the proposed space station Freedom. As for Russia, its rampant inflation, political crises and surging street crime make NASA’s woes look gnat-sized. So news of an agreement between the United States and Russia to merge space-station programs is welcome. But there’s more to this deal than symbolism.

An enormous hurdle to U.S. aid for Russia has been lack of focus: To whom should it go and how should it be used? Without that focus, U.S. lawmakers feared they would be throwing money down a well. But this investment would have at least a strong chance of being well-spent.

The project also reminds Americans that Russia, despite its problems, does have an operating space station, Mir, and still has the technological know-how to support it. True, there are questions about the condition of Russian launch facilities at Baikonur, Kazakhstan, but that’s a money problem, not a knowledge problem. And U.S. dollars would support skilled scientists who might otherwise be attracted to high-paying work for global thugs.

There are numerous technical and political hurdles between Thursday’s announcement and a working venture. For one, members of Congress with aerospace companies in their districts (like much of the California delegation) may fear siphoning away space station projects. But what, really, were the station’s chances? Congress kept cutting its budget and the time frame kept stretching. So it’s not as though joining the Russians means scrapping a done deal.

A robust joint venture might even create business for U.S. firms. Part of the deal would lift U.S. export restrictions that have kept Russia from developing a commercial space-launch business. U.S. aerospace skills could help Russia get some of the customers who are wait-listed for France’s Ariane rocket.

For both countries, the space station agreement looks like the right move, not least because the cooperative spirit needs all the international nurturing it can get.