When NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei went to the International Space Station on April 9, 2011, the coronavirus epidemic was the most pressing worldwide issue, according to the space agency. This is a radically different world from the one Hei left a little more than 11 months ago, and he will be returning to it soon today to see what has changed.

Because almost no one asks about the coronavirus epidemic anymore, the news from the front pages of the world's newspapers exacerbated the situation even further. The bloody conflict in Ukraine, which is having tragic consequences, and something we thought would never happen again - the threat of nuclear weapons - are the most pressing global issues facing the world today. Because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the world has slapped unprecedented sanctions on the country, but it does not appear that relations between the United States and Russia will deteriorate in all areas.

The space industry is one of the industries in which (some form of) cooperation should continue to be encouraged. Previously, the chairman of Roscosmos indicated the scenario that may be achieved in the event of the cessation of collaboration on the International Space Station (ISS). A drop from the station weighing approximately 500 tons to the United States, Europe, China, or India is one possible scenario.

NASA has now stated that, despite the restrictions imposed, collaboration on the International Space Station (ISS) will not be affected, and that there is no danger of the station crashing to Earth, although there is a backup plan in case this occurs. To be specific, assistance in rescuing the station was given by someone other than Elon Musk himself.

But there is another potential problem for NASA. And that concludes Hei's return to the planet. With 355 continuous days in orbit remaining before its scheduled return, it will surpass astronaut Scott Kelly, who spent "just" 340 days at the space station, and become the station's all-time record holder. After breaking the record, he should return to Earth in the same manner in which he arrived - aboard the Soyuz spacecraft. Soyuz rocket from Russia.

Given the current state of the globe and the high levels of tension in which even nuclear war is a possibility, it is evident that taking this path will be uncomfortable and odd. And this will most likely be the last time NASA astronauts will rely on the Soyuz spacecraft.