Mr. Rogozin said he and Jim Bridenstine, the NASA administrator, had agreed not to speculate on the causes or the political implications of the matter until the investigation is completed. The American and Russian piloted space programs should remain merged, he said, as a symbol of coexistence and the peaceful pursuit of science. He also argued that it would be a mistake to leave the Russians out of any risky venture in space. “Even if Americans make their own lunar transport system, there should always be a reserve, for the safety of the crew,” he said. Russia’s budget for its space program is something less than one-tenth what the United States spends on NASA.

Source: New York Times December 11, 2018 18:00 UTC