Some U.S. space observers have also expressed concern about Russia’s participation in the ISS after a newly arrived space station module, Nauka, accidentally tilted the ISS in July due to a thruster misfire, causing a spacecraft emergency. The ISS quickly recovered and the crew was in no danger, NASA said at the time.
James Oberg, a U.S. space journalist who frequently reports on Russia, subsequently wrote an op-ed in IEEE Spectrum in early August asking for an independent investigation and adding he has concerns about NASA’s safety culture. Around the same time, however, both Russia and NASA emphasized the partnership and safety measures remain strong between the two space agencies.