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First, Deputy Prime Minister Dennis
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Manturov has publicly outlined the
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timeline for a major national space
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initiative, emphasizing that the
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development of a Russian orbital station
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and next generation launch systems,
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including rockets with reusable first
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stages, ranks among the country's
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He stated that deployment of Russia's
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own orbital station is expected to begin
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in 2028 and is intended to support deep
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space exploration, including
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preparations for a future Russian lunar
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Altitude Addicts, the YouTube channel
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presenting this analysis, explains that
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this announcement reflects a broader
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shift toward building a self-sufficient
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space architecture centered on the
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Russian orbital service station, often
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The strategy signals a gradual move away
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from reliance on international
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frameworks toward a national orbital
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Looking at how this concept emerged
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helps explain its importance because the
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idea of a new Russian station evolved
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from earlier plans for a modular orbital
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complex capable of supporting spacecraft
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assembly and longduration missions.
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Interest in an independent station grew
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as officials cited aging infrastructure
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and the desire for strategic autonomy.
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During the early 2020s, policymakers and
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engineers explored ways to preserve
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continuous human spaceflight capability
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while reducing dependence on
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international partnerships.
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The proposed station is designed as a
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self-contained outpost that could
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eventually replace Russia's role on
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existing orbital platforms and become
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the centerpiece of its human spaceflight
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Turning to timelines provides a clearer
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picture because current plans indicate
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that construction could begin with the
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launch of the first module around 2027
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to 2028, followed by early crude
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missions soon afterward.
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Initial phases would include essential
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modules such as a science and power unit
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with additional modules added through
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By the middle of the 2030s, the complex
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could consist of multiple modules
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forming a fully operational station
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capable of supporting research,
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logistics, and spacecraft servicing.
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Officials have suggested that the
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station may operate largely in automated
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mode with crews visiting periodically
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rather than maintaining a permanent
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presence, reducing both costs and
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Altitude Addicts notes that Mantrov's
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emphasis on the 2028 deployment aligns
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with these broader plans and highlights
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the project's importance at the highest
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levels of government planning.
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Automation and flexibility appear to be
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key design philosophies.
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Examining the technical architecture
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reveals that the station is intended to
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operate in low Earth orbit at an
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altitude of several hundred km, roughly
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between 400 and 500 km above Earth's
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surface or about 200 ft to 310 mi. A
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central science and energy module would
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provide electrical power, life support,
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and research facilities.
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Over time, additional elements such as
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docking ports, laboratory modules, and
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storage compartments are expected to
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expand operational capabilities.
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Advanced robotic systems are planned to
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assist with maintenance and assembly,
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reflecting a broader trend toward
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automation in orbital infrastructure.
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Another concept involves using the
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station as a hub for deploying small
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satellites directly from orbit
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supporting Earth observation,
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communications, and scientific
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Mantrov also highlighted plans for new
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launch vehicles with reusable first
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stages designed to improve cost
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efficiency and competitiveness in the
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global launch market.
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Considering its role beyond Earth orbit
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shows that one of the main purposes of
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the station is to act as a staging
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platform for missions aimed at deep
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Technologies required for sustaining
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human presence on the moon could be
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tested there as part of preparations for
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Altitude Addicts explains that the
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station could support astronaut
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training, propulsion experiments, and
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validation of life support systems for
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longduration missions.
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Such capabilities would help maintain a
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presence in deep space exploration amid
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growing global competition.
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Looking at its relationship with
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existing orbital programs shows that
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Russia has indicated plans to gradually
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reduce participation in current
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international stations as they approach
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the end of their operational lifetimes.
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Decades of experience in operating
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earlier stations are expected to inform
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the design and procedures of the new
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Lessons learned from previous missions
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regarding safety, operations, and
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longduration habitation are likely to
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shape engineering decisions and mission
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planning. This continuity highlights
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Russia's long history of building and
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operating orbital platforms.
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From a political and strategic
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perspective, the station carries
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symbolic importance as well because
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space achievements are closely tied to
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national technological identity and
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international standing. An independent
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station allows research agendas to
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proceed without reliance on external
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partners in a changing geopolitical
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Altitude Addicts notes that space
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infrastructure also supports
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communications, navigation, and earth
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observation, giving the project broader
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national security and economic
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Autonomy in orbit can influence multiple
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sectors beyond scientific research.
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Comparing the plan with China's Tiang
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Gong station illustrates different
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approaches because China maintains a
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continuous crew presence supporting a
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wide range of experiments while Russia
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may emphasize automation and periodic
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missions. Both reflect a global trend
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toward national orbital capabilities.
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Looking at the United States reveals
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another model in which commercial
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companies are developing private
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stations intended to host research,
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manufacturing, and astronaut missions in
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a competitive orbital economy. Russia's
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approach remains largely state-led,
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consistent with its traditional space
6:57
Considering India's plans adds further
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context because India has announced
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ambitions to build its own station
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within the next decade as part of its
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expanding human space flight program.
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Although likely smaller initially, it
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similarly represents a step toward
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autonomous orbital capability.
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Turning to challenges highlights that
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funding constraints, technological
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development timelines, and modernization
7:23
of launch infrastructure could affect
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Developing new modules and ensuring
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reliable launch capability will require
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sustained investment and coordination
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between government and industry.
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The increasingly competitive global
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space environment with multiple nations
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and private companies pursuing their own
7:44
projects adds further pressure to
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maintain momentum and meet schedules.
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Altitude Addicts emphasizes that
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long-term commitment will be essential
7:56
Looking at broader implications shows
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that the emergence of multiple national
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stations points toward a more multi-olar
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space environment where several orbital
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platforms support different missions.
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Such a network could enable scientific
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research, commercial activities, and
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exploration beyond Earth orbit.
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In conclusion, Dennis Manturov's
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statement that deployment could begin in
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2028 underscores the central role of the
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Russian orbital service station in the
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country's long-term space strategy.
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The project represents both continuity
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with decades of spaceflight experience
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and adaptation to evolving global
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Altitude Addicts concludes that by
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supporting lunar ambitions, hosting
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advanced research, and serving as a hub
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for satellite operations, the station
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aims to position Russia as a significant
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space power in the decades ahead. Its
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progress will be closely watched as
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nations around the world shape their own
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visions for the future of human activity
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9:09
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