KOROLEV (Moscow region), October 26 The Russian orbital station should maximally ensure the interests of the country in the field security and economy, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.
«» So, as for our orbital station directly, it is designed to become an outpost of Russia for the study and conquest of the universe, and, of course, it should, here we just talked with industry leaders, it should ensure our interests as much as possible both in the field of security and in the economic sphere,” Putin said during a meeting on the development of the space sector.
The head of state recalled that in November 2023 the International Space Station turns 25 years old, and according to original plans, it should have completed its mission in 2024 , but since the operation of the ISS is hardly possible without Russian competencies, the country extended its participation in the project until 2028.
According to the president, this is only a temporary, interim solution, and Russia, as one of the leading space powers, must “look far ahead” and take into account the tasks of sovereign, long-term development and ensuring national security.
“»That is why our specialists began to develop the tactical and technical characteristics of our own, Russian orbital station. Without a doubt, projects of this level should take into account all the advanced achievements of science and technology, and have the potential to fulfill the tasks of the future,» Putin concluded.
Initially, the ISS, whose construction in orbit began in 1998, was planned to operate for 15 years. This period was later extended to 2020, and then to 2024. NASA has repeatedly stated that they expect to extend the operation of the station until 2030.
In the summer of 2022, Roscosmos General Director Yuri Borisov reported to the President about the decision made to withdraw from the ISS project after 2024. According to him, the decision on the exact date will be made based on the technical condition of the station. Later, Roscosmos informed its partners about the extension of Russia's participation in the ISS project until 2028, then Borisov stated that the ISS will cease to exist in its current form after 2030.
Putin then approved all Roscosmos proposals for the creation of a new Russian orbital station . Rocket and Space Corporation Energia considers 2027 as the launch date for the first module of the new station. Its construction in orbit is planned to be completed in 2032.