NASA ordered its officials to put an end to communications with Russian government officials and scientists yesterday. This ban excludes the International Space Station (ISS) — NASA sent an American astronaut to the station in a Russian capsule just last week — and doesnt pertain to interactions that occur during meetings with multiple countries beyond Russian soil. Why is NASA the chosen place to punish Russia? Nobody thinks its going to be fine, says a NASA scientist who agreed to speak to The Verge on condition of anonymity.