[RightWhale]

Russia is naturally a part of Euroland: it's just a matter of time until ESA and RSA join up in a limited partnership. Look for China and America to link up later on.

[AntiGuv]

The CNSA and the ESA are already beginning to link up - with the imminent Galileo satellite network - and the RKA is the lynchpin between the two. I think you underestimate the significance of political implications and military capabilities that will push the trio together - and away from NASA - so long as the USA is increasingly viewed as an aspiring global hegemon..