MOSCOW (AP) — NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman attended a scheduled launch on Tuesday for a crew comprising U.S. and Russian astronauts heading to the International Space Station. This event signifies the ongoing collaboration between Moscow and Washington in space despite the prevailing tensions due to Russia's military operations in Ukraine.

Isaacman's visit to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, leased by Russia, marks the first occasion in eight years that a NASA chief has traveled there for a launch. His presence underscores the shared commitment between the U.S. and Russia to maintain joint efforts in outer space.

During a meeting on Monday with the crew members, Isaacman expressed his gratitude to Russia's state space corporation, Roscosmos, for their contributions in preparing for this mission. He acknowledged the integrated work carried out over the previous months, highlighting the professionalism and dedication of all parties involved in the project.

In addition to the crew meeting, Isaacman also conferred with Roscosmos head Dmitry Bakanov prior to the launch of NASA astronaut Anil Menon, alongside Russian crewmates Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. The trio was scheduled to launch aboard the Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft for an eight-month mission at the International Space Station.

This mission marks the first space flight for astronaut Anil Menon, while it will be a second journey into space for both Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina. Upon their arrival at the International Space Station, they will join an existing crew that includes NASA astronauts Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, and Chris Williams, as well as European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergei Kud-Sverchkov, Sergei Mikaev, and Andrei Fedyaev.

Historically, Russia and the U.S. were fierce competitors during the space race of the Cold War era. However, they have since forged a cooperative relationship when it comes to the International Space Station and various joint projects. Despite the geopolitical tensions following Russia's military incursion into Ukraine in 2022, both nations have continued to collaborate, with crews from both countries traveling to the space station using each other's spacecraft.

Nevertheless, plans for an expanded cooperative effort, including possible Russian participation in NASA's Artemis program aimed at lunar exploration, have faced setbacks. In light of growing economic reliance on China due to Western sanctions, Roscosmos has begun to seek partnerships with China for its own future lunar missions, indicating a shift in the landscape of space collaboration.

As the U.S. and Russia navigate their bilateral relations, their continued partnership in space remains a pivotal aspect amid broader geopolitical challenges.