The Hinomaru was removed from Russian rockets as the Japanese government imposed economic sanctions on Russia in criticism of the invasion of Ukraine.Dmitry Rogozin, Secretary of the Russian State Space Agency “Roscosmos”, posted on official Twitter on March 3, Japan time.I uploaded the video。
■ Posted a video saying “Without the flags of some countries, it would look more beautiful”
The video shows workers covering the flags of Japan, Britain, and the United States on the Soyuz rocket at the launch pad of Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan with a white sheet.
“We decided that our rocket in Baikonur’s launcher would look more beautiful without the flags of some countries,” Rogozin said in a video.messageIs posted.
The video continues to hide the flags, but it’s unclear what happened to the remaining flags of India, France and South Korea.
■ It was a rocket for launching a communication satellite of a company invested by Softbank etc.
Roscosmos Press Office via Getty Images
This rocket is for launching a communication satellite of the American company “OneWeb”. The company logo is drawn in the center of each country’s national flag.
The company’s siteAccording to the report, OneWeb was acquired by the British government and Indian telecommunications company Bertie Global in 2020. Since then, it has received investment from Eutelsat (France), Softbank (Japan), Hughes Network Group (US), and Hanwha (Korea).
The flags of the six countries on the rocket indicated the source of the company’s investment. Russia’s condemnation resolution at the UN General Assembly on March 2 was in favor of five countries except India, which abstained.
■ “We will not launch unless the British government sells the shares,” Rogojin said.
Sergei Karpukhin via Getty Images
Spaceflight NowAccording to the report, the launch of the rocket is scheduled for March 4, and it has already moved to the launch pad, but “Roscosmos” is strengthening its stance as countries around the world are increasingly criticizing the invasion of Ukraine.
“We will not launch a rocket unless the British government sells its shares and guarantees that OneWeb’s satellites will not be used for military purposes,” Rogozin said on March 2.CnetIs reporting.
Secretary Rogozin, who once served as Deputy Prime Minister of Putin’s administration, is known for his provocative remarks to countries.
On February 24, when the invasion of Ukraine began, he asked Western countries, “If you refuse to cooperate with us, who will prevent the International Space Station from going out of control and falling into the West?” ThreateningWas tweeting。