**Astronaut Opens Up About Time in Space with Russian Colleagues**
In a rare and revealing interview, retired US astronaut Col. Terry W. Virts shared his personal experiences working alongside Russian colleagues on the International Space Station (ISS) from 2014-2015. During this time, Russia was busy annexing Crimea and invading eastern Ukraine, sparking international tensions.
Col. Virts sat down with Kollen Post of The Kyiv Independent to discuss what it’s like to live and work in space with people who were involved in these conflicts on Earth. According to Virts, many of his Russian crewmates openly supported Russia’s military actions against Ukraine, echoing the propaganda that was prevalent back home.
“It was a really difficult time,” Col. Virts recalled. “We had discussions about what was happening on Earth, and it was clear that some of my colleagues were in favor of the Russian government’s actions. It was like they were drinking the Kool-Aid, so to speak.” He emphasized how unsettling it was to see his crewmates parroting Russian propaganda, often without questioning its validity.
One might wonder: what exactly does this say about the politics of space exploration? Col. Virts is adamant that space missions should remain apolitical and focused on scientific collaboration. “In space, we’re all in this together,” he said. “We need to be able to work with anyone, regardless of their nationality or government.”
The retired astronaut’s comments offer a poignant reminder of the complexities of international relations – even among nations that share common goals in space exploration.
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