New Delhi: The impact of the Russia-Ukraine war has been felt in space too. After Russia said the sanctions imposed by the US and European nations on it can result in a crash of the International Space Station in the Indian Ocean, Moscow has now removed from its rocket all flags of countries, except for India’s tricolour, that are participating in a space programme, OneWeb, which is being launched soon.
Russian space agency Roscosmos also said it will not launch three dozen internet satellites of OneWeb, which is backed by Bharti Airtel and the UK, as planned unless the company meets its new demands, including removing the UK from the project.
With OneWeb rejecting Russia’s demands, the launch of the rocket looks uncertain. Posting a video, Russian space agency Roscosmos chief Dimitry Rogozin stated in Russian, “The launchers at Baikonur decided that without the flags of some countries, our rocket would look more beautiful. ”
In the video, the space agency officials at the Baikonur launchpad were seen pasting white vinyl on the flags on the Soyuz rocket, covering them completely. The Soyuz rocket is carrying 36 satellites from various countries.
The project aims to launch 648 satellites into orbit. Bharti Airtel group (with 39% stake) and the UK government are the owners of the project.
