U.S. extends support for the International Space Station through 2030

According to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, U.S. President Joe Biden has committed to extending International Space Station (ISS) operations through 2030.

Nelson said the Biden administration was committed to working with international partners, including Russia, to continue research in the orbiting laboratory. Over the past two decades, Russia and the U.S. have worked closely aboard the International Space Station.

According to U.S. officials, Russia conducted an anti-satellite missile test in November that created a debris field in low-Earth orbit that could threaten the station for years.

The station would operate through 2030 if approved by international partners and funded by the U.S. Congress. Currently, Congress has approved funding through 2024.

In August, the Interfax news agency said that Russia and the U.S. will continue working together on ISS after 2024, citing a senior official at Russia's space agency Roscosmos.

Tensions between Russia and the U.S. have not been confined to just issues related to space. On Thursday, American President and Russian President Vladimir Putin exchanged warnings over Ukraine but conveyed some optimism that diplomatic talks in January could ease spiraling tensions.