Russia, November 19, 2014: Russia will increase its orbital satellite constellation to 150 spacecraft by 2025, United Rocket and Space Corporation (URSC) head Igor Komarov told media.
“According to the Federal Space Program's new project, the orbital constellation of social-economic purpose satellites will increase to 75, out of which 20 will be remote sensing satellites. As for the satellites for government needs, their number is expected to reach 150 by 2025," Komarov said, stressing that the spacecraft should meet the highest international standards, Sputnik reports. Currently, Russia operates 35 satellites.
"We have to go by the resolution of practical tasks, in order for the space to help the people live here, on the Earth," the URSC chief said. He also pointed out that putting the Vostochny Cosmodrome into operation will allow Russia to conduct a sufficient number of launches. The space centre is located in Russia's far eastern Amur Region. It is expected to reduce the country's dependence on the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The construction is expected to be fully completed by 2018. The first launch is scheduled to take place in 2015 and the first launch of a piloted spacecraft is scheduled for 2018.
Igor Komarov also added that Russia is preparing a new law that would speed up the country's space industry reforms. “I think we will present our general vision of the space-rocket industry's systematic reform to experts by the end of the year. A law, determining the powers of the URSC in order to boost the reform is in preparation, under the president's orders,” he said.
He added that the first step of the reform process, which requires USRC to obtain share packages of 11 industry players, has already in last stages.
Source: News.az
