In an interview that covered a variety of topics, Sagdeev spoke with SPACE.com about current events in space:

What is your opinion of the state of affairs between the United States and Russia in general?

I believe that the relationship between our two countries is much better than anyone could think just by watching the number of both Russian and U.S. 'spy-diplomats' being kicked out of Russia and the United States. I believe that presidents Putin and Bush are currently looking closely at each other and are trying to develop a new relationship which should replace the absolutely foolish relationship that used to be between 'friend Bill' [Bill Clinton] and 'friend Boris' [Boris Yeltsin].

I believe that it won't be easy to open a number of new areas of cooperation between the two countries. The emphasis in U.S.-Russian relations currently should be made on strengthening cooperation in the fields where significant results have already been achieved, particularly nuclear disarmament and space cooperation.

How do you see Russia's role in the International Space Station program? Is enough science being done at the outpost?

I believe that this is a true international effort. I was personally very close to the redesign of this station [in 1993]. The new design was basically created by the two countries - Russia and the United States.

The enormous experience of Russia in the area of human space outposts' design and operation, played a crucial role in the birth of Alpha. I believe that if Russia had not been invited to participate in the space station project, we would not have had this orbital laboratory at all. Don't forget that the space station Freedom project "hit the wall" in the early 1990s.

I have a serious concern about the science programs to be realized onboard the station, however. They may be downplayed for two reasons. First is the financial crisis of the station. Its budget cannot support a broad spectrum of experiments that have been scheduled for the outpost.

Second, based on my experience with Soviet/Russia space stations, I can say that when a science program is managed by aerospace industry representatives, the program will never be adequately developed. I am afraid that something like this may happen with ISS.

There may be two ways of solving this problem. One is to create a non-government, independent board controlled by the scientists themselves. This board would plan scientific activities on board the station. The project currently envisages composing such a board of U.S. scientists only, but in the future scientists from other countries - ISS participants should be incorporated into this body.

Finally, we should give one more look to the way the station will be operated. Only when we have a clear idea of how the outpost is used, we will be able to plan more thoroughly and effectively scientific activities in it.

Do you believe that Russia and the United States are equal partners in the ISS program?

It is a complicated question. From a financial standpoint, the Americans invest much more in the program than the Russians. From an intellectual standpoint, U.S. and Russian contributions to the space station project are equal.

However, ISS is basically governed by the same managing rules as any other business venture. Whoever invested more in this venture, holds a control stock package at it.