DUBAI, Nov 17Foreign customers are interested in cooperation on the commercial module of the Russian Orbital Station (ROS), they are expected to come to the Russian Federation for negotiations on possible participation in the creation of the module, Vladimir Volik, Deputy General Director of RSC Energia for programs and strategy, said during the Dubai Airshow.
«»They showed noticeable interest in this project (ROS commercial module — ed.). We held negotiations with potential customers on the sidelines of this exhibition, they are interested. We have planned the next round of negotiations — they will come to us, specific dates for now have not been determined,” he said, without specifying which state representatives showed interest in creating their own module as part of the RUS.
At the same time, Volik noted that to date, no contracts for participation in the creation of a commercial module have been signed with other countries.
«Now, as part of the preparation of documentation for the main station, in order to maximally satisfy the requirements for the interface, we are asking the market: “What do you want?” Some countries have expressed interest, they have heard our capabilities, requested a proposal, and, accordingly, there will be further negotiations,” the agency’s interlocutor explained.
The first ROS module is planned to be launched in 2027, and five years later the construction of the station in orbit is to be completed. It will consist of scientific and energy, hub, gateway, base and target modules. Previously, Russia extended its participation in the International Space Station project until 2028.
Roscosmos General Director Yuri Borisov reported that following a meeting that Russian President Vladimir Putin held at RSC Energia, instructions were given to approve a federal project to create ROS.
The creation of the station, according to Borisov, will require 609 billion rubles until 2032, and 150 of them are needed already in 2024-2026. As Vladimir Solovyov, general designer for manned complexes and systems of Russia, noted, the station’s operating life should be 50 years.
Previously, Borisov repeatedly noted that cosmonauts from other countries would be able to visit ROS. He also proposed creating a separate BRICS module for it and claimed that this proposal “found a response.” RSC Energia presented the commercial module at the Dubai Airshow exhibition in the UAE.