Published on: 2026-09-22
Source: Government of the Russian Federation –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The progress of the implementation of space programs and the national project “Cosmos” was discussed, including the development of new launch vehicles, a reusable manned transport spacecraft, the Russian Orbital Station, the deployment of new satellites, telecommunications, navigation, and Earth remote sensing devices into orbit, and the development of launch complexes. Special attention was paid to the issues of personnel training for the industry.
From the transcript:
M. Mishustin: Good afternoon, dear Dmitry Vladimirovich!
You head a state corporation that unites the domestic space industry. In particular, it deals with issues related to astronaut training, the development of orbital spacecraft and their delivery systems to orbit, the study of near-Earth space, remote sensing of the planet, and many other areas.
Manned programs are currently being actively updated, including the creation of a new transport vehicle and the Russian orbital station, which will eventually replace the International Space Station.
The implementation of the President’s directives to ensure year-round navigation along the Northern Sea Route continues – satellites that monitor weather changes and ice conditions are already operational.
Under special supervision, including by the President, is the implementation of the national project “Space,” within the framework of which cooperation with private sector companies should be built.
Tell us more about the corporation’s performance results for the current year.
D. Bakanov: Dear Mikhail Vladimirovich!
Dmitry Bakanov, General Director of the state corporation Roscosmos.
Our main task is competitive and sovereign access to space. And for this, modern launch vehicles are necessary. A step in this direction was made at the end of April of this year with the launch of the completely new launch vehicle “Soyuz-5.” This is our joint project with Kazakh partners called “Baiterek.” The rocket allows placing twice as much payload into low Earth orbit – 18 tons instead of 8.7 tons – compared to the “Soyuz-2.” In the future, this rocket will be used to expand our orbital constellation. But this is not the only step we are taking towards reducing launch costs. We are currently developing the “Amur” launch vehicle with a reusable first stage. We conducted two successful engine burns using a “gas-gas” fuel mixture (liquefied natural gas – oxygen).
We also work with the private sector to develop a super-light class launch vehicle. This is the company “New Start,” implementing the conversion of the “Topol-M.” The rocket is needed to put payloads into orbit.
Around 60 spacecraft were launched into orbit this year. These include telecommunications, navigation, and so-called Earth remote sensing satellites. The total constellation has reached almost 400 spacecraft and satellites. I will highlight two projects in particular.
The first is the “Electro-L” spacecraft, which allows completely updating meteorological data around the globe every 15 minutes, at any time of day or night. The second spacecraft is “Obzor”, a high-resolution radar instrument for radar observation of the Earth. It enables capturing highly detailed images of the Earth’s surface regardless of the weather conditions or cloud cover.
In order to solve these tasks, it is very important for us to involve the private sector in the implementation of our space programs and the national project “Space.”
All tests of two private players’ optical-electronic observation spacecraft have been completed. They are both heading to the Vostochny Cosmodrome to ensure a launch in October. Both are highly detailed and will allow increasing the constellation that provides Earth surface imaging at any time of day or night.
Also this year, a new radar spacecraft “Oculus” was launched into space, and it already allows providing data to several federal executive authorities.
It is important to note that private companies, in addition to spacecraft, are also developing new launch vehicles.
At the Vostochny Cosmodrome, a site is being created for the conversion launch vehicle “New Start.” And in the first quarter of 2027, we have our first launch planned.
As you have already mentioned, one of the topics that Russian astronautics is proud of is manned spaceflight. Much has been said about the Russian orbital station, but we have upcoming steps planned.
The first step is the launch and testing of a new advanced reusable piloted transport spacecraft. And in the autumn there will already be a parachute drop and its tests in the Far East.
Our American colleagues approached us because today the International Space Station consists of two segments, Russian and American, with a proposal to extend its operation from 2028 to 2030. We agreed and will extend the operation of the International Space Station for another two years. This will not affect the timeline for the creation of the Russian Orbital Station; we have run these processes in parallel.
It is important to note that this year we had an open astronaut recruitment, and we broke the record thanks to the announcement posted on the unified public services portal. There were 12,000 applications, and 350 people have already passed the initial selection.. This year we will complete it and announce the names of the lucky ones.
Now a few words about improving the efficiency of enterprises. This is impossible to achieve without new production and digital technologies. For example, at the Perm site of “Proton – Perm Motors,” we are deploying an additive technologies center.
You commissioned the unpacking of archives and their digitization so that later, using artificial intelligence, the design of new space technology could be carried out. We are moving very actively in this direction.
A Russian artificial intelligence called GigaChat was also delivered to the International Space Station. It allows astronauts to conduct experiments without being distracted by any routine tasks. Their work efficiency has increased by 15%.
M. Mishustin: Space exploration is a crucial field around which the development of other key industries is built.
And to solve such a task, Russia has a range of launch complexes diversified by geographic and technological profiles. The most well-known is Baikonur, where the “Gagarin launch pad” is located. There are also Plesetsk in the Arkhangelsk region and the newest one – Vostochny in the Amur region, which is currently being actively developed.
How is the work progressing at the cosmodrome? What launches are you preparing there?
D. Bakanov: Very important stages have been passed this year. The first is the commissioning of the ‘Angara’ launch pad. All construction procedures are completed. We have received the Construction Completion Certificates and operation permits.
Also, by a Government decision, the launch pad for the Soyuz-2 was commissioned. Two launch pads are already operational. And a private operator is building a third one – “New Start”.
Moreover, we have just completed the construction of six boiler houses in order to fully gasify the city of Tsiolkovsky. And we are already connecting them to the gas distribution networks.
Two residential buildings have been put into operation, which is about 200–215 apartments, and we are starting to settle the residents. Complete landscaping around the social housing will be finished in the first quarter of 2027.
M. Mishustin: The space industry requires highly qualified specialists. And their training is a crucial task.
For this purpose, the Government has developed various programs. In the system of primary and secondary education, specialized classes are being created, and at universities, advanced engineering schools are established jointly with enterprises.
Not long ago, we were at the educational complex “Orbita” in Domodedovo, which actively collaborates with Roscosmos. The kids told me about this in detail. A specialized class has been created there for high school students. They shared their thoughts and talked about why they chose this profile.
Of course, this process requires the direct involvement of the future employer, who will help engage and motivate pupils and students. Social support for young specialists also matters.
How does the corporation conduct work on personnel training?
D.Bakanov: Mikhail Vladimirovich, ambitious goals are very important for young people. For this, we have two federal projects – “Space Science” and “Space Atom,” which focus on creating monitoring systems for deep space and establishing permanent energy sources. And a huge thanks to the Russian Academy of Sciences, Gennady Yakovlevich Krasnikov, and the Kurchatov Institute, Mikhail Valentinovich Kovalchuk, for this joint work.
But an idea alone is not enough; it is also important to provide new personnel with everything socially necessary. And for this – including in accordance with your decisions, thank you very much – we are providing them with state housing certificates. Starting next year, 141 certificates will be issued, each worth 5 million for each specialist. Additionally, this year we are paying an extra 20 thousand rubles to specialists under 35 years old. And for the defense of a dissertation on the most relevant issues for our Russian cosmonautics: 2 million for a candidate’s dissertation and 4 million for a doctoral dissertation.
This is our purposeful work, in addition to the Roscosmos university consortium, in addition to the 450 space classes, one of which you visited.
M. Mishustin: “Roscosmos” could be even more active in promoting itself to young people here.
Your corporation provides advanced ideas to a large number of related fields in the economy, engineering, and science, shaping Russia’s technological leadership, the necessity of which is always emphasized by our President.
It is important to constantly monitor the resolution of the tasks set. This is what I also want to wish for you.
D. Bakanov: Mikhail Vladimirovich, thank you very much.
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