Abstract
The article analyzes the evolution of relations between the leading powers in the field of space exploration, examines the causes of problems in cooperation, the prerequisites and prospects for cooperation and the likely difficulties of interaction. The research objective of the article is to identify, through analysis and synthesis, the distinctive features of the interaction between the leading world powers in space exploration. The research methodology is framed by historical trends in the development of the space industry and their comparison with the current geopolitical situation. The purpose of the article is to form an idea of the reciprocal infl uence of geopolitics on space and space on geopolitics and on humanity. The first part of the article provides a brief excursion into the history of relations between Russia and the United States in space and focuses on significant mistakes in these relations in the 20th century. In the second part, the current agenda is compared with the past, and positive changes are identified. Further, a number of joint promising projects of leading national space corporations are presented to the reader's attention, which have either already been implemented or will only be in the very near future. In the last part of the article, modern problems of cooperation in the field of space exploration are considered, a correlation is made with the past. The author comes to the conclusion that the cosmos, to which people, regardless of race and ethnicity, have been directing their gaze for many centuries, wanting to get answers to deep philosophical questions, should serve as a consolidating factor for the entire fragmented humanity.