Dmitry Bakanov, the director-general of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, has announced plans for a significant meeting and discussions with the leadership of NASA in the United States. This high-level encounter is scheduled to take place during the upcoming launch of a Crew Dragon spacecraft, which will notably include a Russian cosmonaut as part of its crew.
Bakanov emphasized the robust and ongoing collaborative ventures between Roscosmos and NASA. He specifically highlighted the International Space Station (ISS), pointing out its distinct Russian and American segments, as a prime example of their shared efforts. Furthermore, he referenced the established practice of “cross-flights” — missions where astronauts and cosmonauts from both nations fly together on each other`s spacecraft. As an illustration of this successful cooperation, he recalled a previous mission where a Soyuz rocket, launched from Baikonur, carried two Russian cosmonauts, Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky, alongside NASA astronaut Jonathan Kim.
Looking towards future collaborations, Bakanov noted that subsequent cross-flights will involve American astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut launching from Cape Canaveral, Florida, utilizing a Falcon rocket and a Dragon capsule. He confirmed that Roscosmos officials have received an invitation to attend an upcoming launch of this nature. During their visit, they intend to conduct a series of negotiations aimed at further enhancing interaction and fostering deeper cooperation between the two premier space agencies.
While Bakanov did not provide specific details regarding the particular launch he was referencing for the meeting, the next scheduled cross-flight involving an American spacecraft is anticipated for July 31st. This mission is expected to include Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov as a member of its crew.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth