Short Wave War On Earth, Cooperation In Space
Jun 15, 2022
Geoff Brumfiel, NPR's science correspondent, shares insights on the unique cooperation between U.S. astronauts and Russian cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station amidst geopolitical tensions. He discusses how the war in Ukraine is reshaping life in space, posing challenges to scientific diplomacy. The conversation reflects on the historical alliance formed during the Cold War and explores how science can serve as a bridge between conflicting nations, revealing the complexities of collaboration in challenging times.
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Sputnik and Early Cooperation
- US-Russia space cooperation dates back to the 1957 Sputnik launch.
- Sputnik, part of the International Geophysical Year, involved global data collection, masking a secondary purpose of missile development.
Benefits of Data Sharing
- Sharing scientific data is often preferred to stealing it.
- This collaboration benefited missile development through atmospheric and oceanographic data for accuracy and submarine advancement.
ISS Interdependence
- The ISS, a symbol of cooperation, is built with interdependent US and Russian systems.
- This design makes separation impractical, necessitating continued collaboration.