We often hear of news nowadays about how the relationship between the United States and Russia continues to deteriorate after ties between the two nations were revived following the Cold War. The crisis in the Ukraine and the Syrian civil war are just two of the major issues where the American and Russian governments continue to be at loggerheads.
In space, however, all of these tensions between the two countries seem to dissipate. In fact, American and Russian space scientists rely on each other to jointly operate the International Space Station in the Earth's low orbit.
In an interview with CNN, American astronaut Scott Kelly of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said he really has to collaborate with his Russian colleagues to survive in space.
"Not only are we great friends, but we are completely reliant on each other if there's an emergency up here, that we have to take care of one another," Kelly said in an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour.
"We have to rely on each other literally for our lives," he added.
Kelly further said that they monitor the news in space, and are aware of the contentious issues confronting the U.S. and Russia.
"It's not something we generally discuss between each other, although sometimes we do," he said.
The NASA astronaut explained that he and his Russian colleagues have learned to set aside their differences and work together for the common good.
"We understand that there can be conflict at times between nations. And I think one of the great things about the space station is we have demonstrated that two cultures that are somewhat different and sometimes can be at odds with one another over certain things have demonstrated that they can work together in a very cooperative way at something very, very difficult for a long period of time," he said.
Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko, for his part, said politicians from the U.S. and Russia can draw an example from what they do in the space station.
"Our work here and our cooperation on board the [International Space Station] is a great example for all politicians. If they spent at least one month on board together, it would have probably resolved most of their problems and discussions on the ground," Kornienko told CNN.
