The Russian space industry may be commercially successful, but now it is far from that. This was stated by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev after the meeting on the financial and economic status of this rocket and space industry.
“We should not forget that space is a big market in which there is real competition, and here we need to work hard to stay in this market. The rocket and space industry can in today's conditions and should become commercially successful. We are still far enough from this, ”he said.
Medvedev noted that Russia holds "leadership in the rocket and space industry," which is of strategic importance for the development of new technologies and the country's defense capability.
“Space has always created such technologies, and those innovations that were created before and now are created for space, they change people's daily lives - this applies to the whole range of achievements, from telecommunications to new materials,” the prime minister stressed.
Among the problems that exist in the Russian space industry, Medvedev noted the delay in construction at the Vostochny cosmodrome, due to which the launch of a heavy rocket in 2021 may not take place.
“It is obvious that the dynamics that it is, it does not allow to meet in these terms. It means that efforts are needed, it is necessary to undertake everything that depends on the structures that are involved in this, in order to carry out the relevant construction, ”Medvedev said.
As measures to overcome difficulties in the rocket and space sphere, the Prime Minister proposed introducing more effective management tools.
“To remedy the situation, you need to create effective management mechanisms, financing within the rocket and construction industry. Tight control over the implementation of the decisions made, the observance of the quality of work and the use of budgetary funds is also required, ”Medvedev said.
“It is striking - it is necessary to finish with the projector. Stop talking about where we will fly in 2039, you have to work, talk less and do more. Actively engage in the commercialization of our space industry and the increase in Russia's share in the international market, ”said the head of the Russian government.
At the same time, Medvedev pointed out significant funding for the industry. So, for the next three years, the government will allocate more than 515 billion rubles. At the same time, in 2018, Roscosmos did not use 16% of the funds allocated from the budget, the Prime Minister added.
- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev holds a meeting on the development of the Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities
- RIA News
- © Dmitry Astakhov
"It was decided not to freeze construction"
Recall that a critical defect was found on the launching table of the Soyuz-2 rocket of the Vostochny cosmodrome in November 2018 - the seam of the foundation slabs was deformed, and leaks were found through the concrete joints and formwork fastening holes.
In September of the same year, voids were discovered under the Soyuz - 2 launch complex. This is confirmed by the information published on the website of public procurement.
"Work on the elimination of voids under the reinforced concrete base on the special track of the mobile tower maintenance facilities construction of the 1st launch vehicle launch complex" Soyuz-2 "at the Vostochny cosmodrome," the document says.
At the same time, in addition to funds for the elimination of these shortcomings, Roscosmos asked for additional funds for the completion of individual facilities.
“The situation with the Vostochny space center is indicative. Construction should have been completed last year. Really built, if counted in pieces, although, this is not very correct, then a quarter of the planned facilities were built, only 5 out of 19, ”said Medvedev.
However, despite the criminal cases on contractors, debts and delays in construction, the government decided not to freeze the construction site, said Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov.
“The decision was made not to freeze the construction, because otherwise we will be out of sync on the activities of the creation of Soyuz-5FTC and Angara,” he said.
In total, four launches have already been carried out from the East, the Deputy Prime Minister added, stressing that it was with him that the authorities linked the further development of astronautics with it.
- The launch of the Soyuz-2.1a rocket from the Vostochny cosmodrome
- © Roscosmos
“I think the crisis is over”
At the same time, the crisis in Roscosmos was overcome, according to Borisov. He noted that negative processes had been taking place in the corporation for several years, however, the current leadership had overcome these problems.
“We appreciated the activities of the new administration. Crisis, I think that passed. He came about in a corporation in the second quarter of 2018. As an example, the budget implementation rate is 22%, the lowest in all industries. Three quarters of the planned volume of events needed to be implemented in half a year, which is impossible, ”he said.
To increase the competitiveness of Angara and Irtysh launch vehicles, the state corporation will reduce their costs, said the head of Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin.
“Roscosmos has adopted an action plan to increase the competitiveness of Russian launch vehicles. Particular emphasis is on reducing the cost of new carriers of the Angara and Soyuz-5 families of Irtysh, he wrote on his Twitter on January 16.
In @roscosmos, an action plan was adopted to increase the competitiveness of Russian launch vehicles. Particular emphasis on reducing the cost of new carriers of the family "Angara" and Soyuz-5 "Irtysh". The meeting was attended by the heads of all the leading engineering plants of the industry pic.twitter.com/CD3YNIbDFW
- Dmitry Rogozin (@Rogozin) January 16, 2019January 14, Rogozin said that in 2019, the number of launches will double in comparison with 2018, when there were 22 launches.
“Plan for 2019: 45 starts - from scientific to test. Twice more than in the past, ”he said.