The Russian government is to invest Rbs1.6 trillion (US$51bn) in the country’s space sector over the 2013-2020 period in order to maintain its position as one of the preeminent forces in space.
Speaking at the Vostochny Space Launch Centre in…
The Russian government is to invest Rbs1.6 trillion (US$51bn) in the country’s space sector over the 2013-2020 period in order to maintain its position as one of the preeminent forces in space.
Speaking at the Vostochny Space Launch Centre in Blagoveshchensk, eastern Russia, President Vladimir Putin said: “Russia must remain one of the big space powers in the twenty-first century, this is clear, and the results of our work in the sector should have big practical returns and boost our country’s innovative development, as well as strengthening our country’s security and making Russia more competitive globally.
“Developing the space sector therefore remains one of the big state priorities. We will continue to increase the attention we give this sector.
“Financing for space programmes in Russia comes to around Rbs181bn [around US$5.9bn] in 2013. This is more than triple what it was in 2008. We are in third place worldwide after the USA and the European Union for investment in the space sector, and have an almost five-fold lead on the other main space powers when it comes to average annual growth rate of state investment in space programmes. These efforts have enabled us to complete deployment of the GLONASS system and fulfil all of our obligations with regard to building and operating the International Space Station.
“There are certainly still a number of unresolved problems that are holding back the sector’s development. They built up over the years when our country did not have the means to invest in the space programme and was forced to just keep drawing on the resources built up during the Soviet period. Fortunately, this was a solid resource and it enabled Russia to stay among the leaders. Russia’s Proton and Soyuz launch vehicles and other rockets carry out 35-40 percent of all space launches around the world today. But a substantial part of our rockets and equipment has nonetheless aged considerably, and more than 80 percent of the electronic components are produced abroad. There is practically no incentives or mechanisms for the sector’s innovative development.
“The experts predict that demand for space goods and services and joint research will grow steadily over the coming years. This market is already worth US$300-400 billion, but by 2030 it could be worth US$1.5 trillion. Of course we must make full use of this window of opportunity, all the more so as we are in a good position and can draw on the resources already developed by our past generations of scientists, engineers, technicians and workers. The state authorities have earmarked around 1.6 trillion rubles for the space sector over the 2013-2020 period. This money will finance the relevant state programmes in the sector. The focus must be on the most promising applied science and technology.”
As to where this money would be invested, Putin pointed to five main areas. The completion of the Vostochny launch facility; the development of new multipurpose spacecraft and launch vehicles, and in particular more powerful rocket engines; to focus less on manned space and more on other applied fields such as Earth remote sensing satellites and personal satellite communication systems; to boost the country’s technological resource base for space systems and equipment; and to actively encourage new scientific and engineering personnel in the space sector.
The Russian leader added that as part of a review into improving the overall management and organisational structure of the Russian space industry, the state may consider establishing a new space ministry.
“In the space sector, almost everything is in state hands, or the state has a controlling stake. I don’t rule it out therefore [creation of a new comprehensive agency], but I ask Mr Rogozin [the Deputy Prime Minister], the Prime Minister, and the entire Government to reflect on this again. It could be possible in principle to establish a ministry in this area. The first stage of course would be to ensure it has the right people. This is obvious,” Putin said.
Seeks launch independence
The Russian president sought to make particular reference to the development of the country’s own launch site, having historically used the Baikonur Cosmodrome in neighbouring Kazakhstan.
Putin said: “The [state] policy document sets out the main priorities, one of which is bringing the Vostochny space launch centre into operation. Russia needs to have its own reliable site for carrying out the whole range of space-related activities.
“Earlier today we inspected the construction site. The first rocket launches are scheduled to take place in 2015, and Vostochny should be fully operational by 2020. This means that we will be able to use it to launch orbital station modules and interplanetary vehicles for studying and developing the Moon, Mars, and other planets.
“Particular care went into the site’s selection. I set up a working group for this purpose. We examined several sites, including on the Pacific coast. But taking into account our American partners’ experience with Cape Canaveral, where bad weather creates big interruptions, we finally decided on this site here. The weather conditions are good, with around 300 sunny days a year, the infrastructure is quite well developed and can be further developed, and the geographical location is good. It is on nearly the same latitude as Baikonur. We discussed earlier with Mr Popovkin [head of the Federal Space Agency] that the difference will be only around half a degree, and so this is a good site.
“The site will become a major link in Russia’s aviation and space sector and a powerful innovative centre for developing the whole country and the Far East. “
