KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — The new head of the Russian Space Agency said his country will withdraw from the International Space Station at the end of 2024.

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The comments came Tuesday during a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

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He said the Russians will focus on building their own space station.

Photos: Russian Space Agency announces withdraw from International Space Station

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The propulsion systems for the ISS are controlled on the Russian side of the station. NASA has been working on ways to keep the station in its orbit without using those systems.

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The US has already demonstrated with existing service modules that we can provide much of if not sufficient thrust to keep you know, to boost the ISS that is required.

The ISS was first launched in 2000.

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NASA plans to transition to a new commercially operated space station in 2030.

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