Roscosmos Director Dmitry Bakanov has arrived in the United States for high-level discussions with acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy, marking the first official visit by a Russian space agency head since 2018. The visit underscores ongoing efforts to maintain and advance U.S.–Russia cooperation in space exploration.
The talks will focus on renewing the cross-flight agreement between NASA and Roscosmos, extending the operational life of the International Space Station (ISS), and establishing joint protocols for its eventual safe deorbiting. These topics remain central to the long-standing space partnership between the two countries.
Bakanov is also scheduled to meet the Crew-11 mission team, including Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov, who is preparing for his inaugural spaceflight aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, scheduled for launch on July 31. The engagement reflects continued multinational crew integration despite broader geopolitical tensions.
In addition to diplomatic meetings, Bakanov will tour NASA’s Johnson Space Center and visit production facilities operated by Boeing and SpaceX, reinforcing technical collaboration in spacecraft development and mission execution.