Roscosmos CEO to visit SpaceX, Boeing spacecraft assembly facilities in U.S

MOSCOW. July 29 (Interfax) - Roscosmos Russian State Space Corporation CEO Dmitry Bakanov will visit spacecraft assembly facilities of SpaceX and Boeing during his visit to the United States, the Roscosmos press service said in a statement.

"The Russian delegation will visit satellite and spaceship assembly facilities of the SpaceX company," the statement said.

"The Russian delegation plans to visit Boeing's manufacturing division, where CST-100 Starliner manned reusable transport spacecraft is being developed, and to hold negotiations with the administration of the company's space flight program," it said.

On July 28, Bakanov said he had discussed potential cooperation in outer space exploration with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.

On January 25 2024, Roscosmos Executive Director for Manned Space Programs Sergei Krikalev said Roscosmos and NASA planned to include Boeing Corporation's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft in their program of cross-flights to the International Space Station (ISS).

Starliner began its inaugural test flight on June 5, 2024. The mission was supposed to last for around eight days. However, engine problems and a helium leak from the spaceship's service module were recorded as it approached the ISS. The return to Earth was delayed to test the ship's systems.