Vladimir Putin on Saturday voiced confidence in Russia’s space industry, saying it continues to perform steadily despite long-standing challenges, as the country prepares to mark Cosmonautics Day.
Speaking ahead of the annual celebration, Putin noted that this year also marks the 65th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s historic spaceflight, a milestone in global space exploration.
“This year, we also celebrate the 65th anniversary of Yuri Gagarin’s historic flight. Last year was generally positive for the industry: 17 launches and 97 spacecraft were sent into orbit. Consolidated revenue grew by 10 percent, exceeding 500 billion rubles,” he said.
During a meeting with the president, Dmitry Bakanov, chief of Roscosmos, said the agency had recently achieved a successful launch of a new low-orbit broadband satellite constellation in partnership with private firms. The mission increased Russia’s orbital satellite grouping to 364 spacecraft.
Bakanov said the launch from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome proceeded despite what he described as external attempts to disrupt the operation.
“When people say space is above politics, our so-called ‘friends’ tried everything to prevent this launch. On that day, there were serious strike attempts on the cosmodrome. Nevertheless, the joint combat crews of Roscosmos enterprises and the Space Forces completed the mission,” he said, without elaborating on the alleged attacks.
He also briefed Putin on the “New Start” project, which предусматриes a private investment of 600 billion rubles over eight years. The initiative includes converting the Topol missile system for civilian use and developing a reusable launch vehicle.
According to Bakanov, the first launch under the project is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027 from the Vostochny Cosmodrome.