WASHINGTON – NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman signaled a continued interest in collaboration with Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, despite ongoing geopolitical challenges. Isaacman announced plans to attend an upcoming Soyuz launch and expressed his desire to meet with Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Bakanov, focusing on maintaining a working relationship centered around the International Space Station (ISS). This move represents a notable effort to sustain cooperation in space, even as broader relations between the U.S. And Russia remain strained.
The planned attendance at the Soyuz MS-29 launch, scheduled for this summer from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, is particularly significant. Isaacman noted a personal connection to the mission, stating he has a “good friend” who will be onboard. The mission will carry NASA astronaut Anil Menon and Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina to the ISS, adding a layer of personal significance to Isaacman’s planned visit. This would mark the first time a NASA administrator has observed a Soyuz launch since October 2018, when then-Administrator Jim Bridenstine attended the launch of Soyuz MS-10, a mission that experienced an in-flight abort but resulted in a safe landing for the crew. SpaceNews first reported on Isaacman’s plans.
The potential meeting between Isaacman and Bakanov builds on a recent thaw in communication between the two agencies. The last face-to-face meeting between the heads of NASA and Roscosmos occurred in July 2025, when then-acting NASA administrator, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, met with Bakanov at the Kennedy Space Center prior to the Crew-11 launch. Isaacman stated, “I know that we’re making preparations for a discussion with my counterpart at the earliest opportunity,” indicating a proactive approach to re-establishing dialogue. NewsDirectory3 confirms this intention.
ISS Cooperation Remains a Priority
While broader cooperation between the U.S. And Russia has been impacted by sanctions following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the ISS remains a critical area of collaboration. Bakanov has previously indicated a desire to expand cooperation beyond the ISS, but Isaacman emphasized that his focus will remain on the orbiting laboratory. “The space station is going to still be up there for a long time,” Isaacman said. “There is a lot that we need to accomplish together in the years ahead. A lot of opportunity for good conversation.”
This renewed engagement comes after Isaacman met with Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), on February 11. Both NASA and ESA released statements highlighting their continued partnership, particularly as NASA prepares for its return to the Moon. “As we move forward with our return to the Moon, the European Space Agency remains a key partner across much of NASA’s portfolio,” Isaacman wrote on social media. Aschbacher echoed this sentiment, stating their alignment on objectives related to lunar exploration, Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and missions to Mars.
A History of Collaboration and Recent Strains
The planned meeting and launch attendance represent a shift from recent years, where direct contact between NASA and Roscosmos leadership was limited. The 2018 Soyuz MS-10 incident, while ultimately resulting in a safe crew recovery, underscored the risks inherent in relying on a single launch system for access to the ISS. Following that incident, face-to-face meetings between the heads of the agencies were infrequent until Duffy’s visit last July. Bakanov had reportedly invited Duffy to Moscow around the time of the Soyuz MS-28 launch, but that meeting did not materialize. Isaacman’s subsequent renomination as NASA administrator further delayed direct engagement.
Jared Isaacman, the 15th Administrator of NASA, brings a unique background to the role, having founded the payment processing company Shift4 and co-founded Draken International, a company providing training to U.S. Military pilots. NASA’s official biography details his entrepreneurial experience and his own ventures into space, including commanding the Inspiration4 all-civilian orbital spaceflight in 2021 and the Polaris Dawn mission in 2024.
Looking Ahead
The upcoming Soyuz launch and potential meeting between Isaacman and Bakanov signal a willingness to maintain a crucial partnership in space, even amidst broader geopolitical tensions. The focus on ISS cooperation suggests a pragmatic approach, recognizing the continued importance of the station for scientific research and international collaboration. The success of these discussions and the continuation of a working relationship will be key to ensuring the continued operation of the ISS and future collaborative space endeavors.
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