The director of the Russian Space Agency (roskosmos), Dmitry Rogozinhas lamented today on his Twitter account that his Swedish counterpart has decided not to rely on Russia to send his next satellite, the MATS. All this has happened in the context of the invasion of Ukraineafter announcing himself the withdrawal of his country from several international space projects, so it is curious that he feels offended by the decision of Sweden.
For their part, from the Scandinavian country they have not made official statements in this regard. The director of the Swedish Space Agency, Anna Rathmanhe explained in statements on March 8 collected by SpaceNews that they were looking for other options outside of Russia. It’s a logical quest, after a UK satellite operated by OneWeb has been grounded by Roscosmos’ strict conditions. In addition, the European Space Agency (ESA) sees the launch of the ExoMars mission by the end of this year if the situation does not change.
Both ESA, NASA and other international companies are looking for alternatives to Russian cooperation. That includes the launch of launchers that allow the Soyuz rockets to be dispensed with, as well as engines for their impulse. In addition, it might be necessary to change launch sites, since many missions were scheduled to depart from ports operated by Roscosmos.
What do we know about the MATS satellite?
The MATS-satellite (Mesospheric Airglow/Aerosol Tomography and Spectroscopy) is designed to investigate atmospheric waves by analyzing the variation of light emitted by oxygen molecules at 100 km. In addition, it will study the structures in the highest clouds in our atmosphere, the so-called noctilucent clouds.
Through all these images, the scientists of the Swedish space agency They plan to make the first global map of atmospheric wave properties in all spatial dimensions. But for that you first have to send the satellite into space.
Its launch was initially scheduled for the end of 2021. However, it suffered some delays that placed the new date at the end of 2022. It should leave the Vostochny Cosmodromelocated in Siberia, along with a Russian weather satellite, both on board a soyuz rocket.
But the international conflict that arose after the Russian invasion of Ukraine He has turned everything upside down. Possibly out of fear of seeing himself without his only option, Sweden has already set to work in search of alternatives. And according to Rogozin’s statements, it seems that she has found them. Although we will have to wait for the Swedish version to have the whole story complete.
The dispute between Russia and Sweden in a single tweet
The tweet of director of the Russian Space Agency on Sweden’s withdrawal from its agreement with Russia reads as follows:
“Sweden refuses to launch the MATS satellite on the Russian Soyuz-2.1b rocket. MATS was scheduled to launch in late 2022 from the Vostochny Cosmodrome together with a Russian weather satellite. A woman with a car (rocket) is easier for a mare.”
Google translation of Dimitry Rogozin’s tweet
Beyond the fact that Russia has already denied the use of Soyuz rockets to several countries and that it is logical that other countries try look for alternatives, the saying he uses at the end is striking. Although the literal translation is the one read above, the meaning Exactly in Spanish it would be something like: “It is easier for the mare when the woman gets out of the car”.
It’s about a russian proverb what started to be used At a time when peasant couples traveled by carts drawn by mares or horses. Usually the man walked alongside and the woman was on top of the car. However, when they reached very steep or rocky places, the wife often had to get down so that the animals could pull the cart more easily. For this reason, it is said that the initial meaning of the proverb is that in order to obtain a greater good, it is necessary to collaboration of all.
It also has another interpretation that indicates that if the origin of a conflict out of the center of it it will be much easier to move on.
In this case it is not known whether Rogozin refers to the most derogatory interpretation or the one that calls for cooperation. It is inevitable to remember that the director of the Swedish Space Agency is a woman. Could she have that to do with it? Could she simply be referring to the fact that if the woman leaves the rocket, everything will be easier in the future launch from the Siberian cosmodrome? Maybe. Coming from someone who encouraged NASA scientists to fly on broomsticks, it could be anything.