Russia extends outer space cooperation with US {and pushes signing Treaty to Prevent Placement of Weapons in Outer Space}

Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of Russia (Wikipedia)

Russia has approved extending an agreement on cooperation in space with the United States, in a move to avoid a new era of arms race in the outer space.

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin approved the extension of the Exploration and Use of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes, the cabinet’s press service said in a statement on Saturday.

“The agreement on cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes will be in place until December 31, 2030,” it said. “The extension of the agreement meets both countries’ interests and will facilitate the effective implementation of joint space projects.”

The treaty was originally signed by then Russian President Boris Yeltsin and US President George W. Bush on June 17, 1992, in Washington.

Under the agreement, world powers are not allowed to place nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit or in the outer space and must avoid harmful contamination of space.

The outer space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by means of use or occupation, or by any other means, according to the document.

The administration of former US President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to establish the Space Force – the first new US military branch in 72 years – calling for his country’s “dominance in space.”

**Russia, China agree on joint lunar space station**

The Treaty, the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space and of the Threat or Use of Force Against Outer Space Objects (PPWT), bans deployment of “any weapons in outer space.

”The PPWT signatories may not “resort to the threat or use of force against outer space objects” or engage in activities “inconsistent” with the purpose of the treaty.

In the waning days of his presidency, Trump’s administration said that the Space Force will become a full member of the US intelligence community.

Both Russia and China are also developing similar military capabilities as they seek to field the technology and erode America’s military dominance.

Moscow and Beijing, however, proposed a treaty that prohibits the deployment of both ground-based and space-based weapons targeting satellites in the space and are pushing Washington to sign it.

Treaty: https://peaceinspace.com/treaty/

SOURCE: https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2021/04/03/648669/Russia-US-outer-space