Anatoly Perminov, Roscosmos (Federal Aerospace Agency) - Роскосмос
Release Date: 2009-03-06
Interview date: January 2009What were the most significant achievements of the Russian space industry in 2008?
In April, 2008 the President of Russia approved the “Fundamentals of the policy of the Russian Federation in space activities till 2020 and its further prospects” which sets the development of the Russian aerospace industry and its future contribution to the Russian economy and national security. A draft of the Federal Target Program (FTP) “Using the results of aerospace activity for social and economic development of the Russian Federation in 2010-2015” was also developed.
I would point out the start of construction works of Vostochny, a new Russian space port, as the key event. According to President’s Decree of 06.11.2007, we are ordered to construct a new space launch site in the eastern part of Russia to launch spacecraft for social, economic and scientific purposes.
How is the implementation of Federal Space Program going? Are there any challenges or aspects lagging behind?
…Currently the orbital group consists of 13 satellites with over 230 transmitters in total. This year a new modern communication satellite Express-AM33 was added, providing high-quality communication and a range of modern services. The operation of remote sensing spacecraft Resource-DK, which laid the basis for a brand new Earth monitoring space system, also continues successfully. Russian scientific payloads also worked on board the Wind spacecraft (USA), studied the planet atmosphere on board European Mars-Express and Venus-Express, and begun active collaboration with European partners for experimental data processing in space materials, science and biology.
We do have room for improvement in technologies which depend on modern electronic components, namely concerning the creation of modern communication spacecraft, remote Earth sensing, other applied space systems and user equipment provision.
During the last 20 years, while we were unable to finance new prospective spacecraft and fundamental interplanetary research stations due to obvious economic reasons, other countries, like the USA with the Hubble telescope, Mars rovers and interplanetary stations, made serious achievements that are a very high landmark in this sphere. Here we have to catch up with the other countries somehow, primarily, by participating in the international programs that provide mutually beneficial opportunities and achievements.
How is the GLONASS Federal Target Program progressing?
Roscosmos, in the framework of GLONASS, focuses on developing the orbital constellation. Currently it consists of 20 spacecraft including 17 spacecraft in nominal operation. The constellation provides continuous navigation coverage of the Russian territory, and global coverage of 92%.
Six Glonass-M spacecraft will be launched in 2009 and another six in 2010, thus expanding the orbital constellation to a total of 24 operating spacecraft by 2010, as some of the orbiting spacecraft will be replaced by the new ones. Flight tests of the Glonass-K satellites are planned to begin in 2010. By 2011, the GLONASS system will possess precision and operational characteristics that are comparable to the foreign analogs.
User navigation devices represent essential component of the global navigation satellite systems…The Russian Space Instrumentation R&D Institute has developed and launched mass production of Glospace, a universal car navigator compatible with GLONASS/GPS signals. 63% of state-regulated transport infrastructure facilities will be equipped with satellite navigation devices in 2009.
How is the Federal Target Program (FTP) for space launch site development progressing? Are there any problems with the construction of Vostochny? At what stage is the project currently?
This is the first project in post-Soviet Russia of such a scale…Roscosmos approved the comprehensive project of the new space port in July, 2008. The Vostochny space port is needed to ensure space access from the Russian territory. It will lay the basis for ambitious space projects such as human missions to the Moon and Mars.
New launch vehicles will operate from the site…a multiuse space rocket system, and a superheavy launch vehicle for future space exploration programs at Vostochny are also being considered. By 2015 we plan to finish construction of the first stage of the launch site for unmanned launches and prepare the first crew launch by 2018.
Vostochny design and research activities are already ongoing. Roscosmos companies have completed system design stage for the space port. In addition, the design of a new launcher to be operated from Vostochny has been defined as well. This year we intend to start draft design activities for the new launcher.
What milestones have been achieved in the Russian Advanced Crew Vehicle (ACV) project? Will Russia develop it independently, or jointly with Europe? Will it be developed at all, taking the crisis into account?
…A tender for choosing the ACV prime contractor is planned in 2009. Roscosmos invited technical experts to carry out integrated analysis of the possible options for a new transportation system for LEO and LLO missions including joint projects with the European Space Agency (ESA). In December 2008 ESA Ministerial Counsel decided on developing a cargo-return module on the basis of the ATV cargo vehicle design, with possible transition to a crew capsule. In this respect, we plan to use our own capabilities to develop ACV. On the other hand, if ESA is interested, with mutually beneficial approach, our European colleagues also may be involved in this project. The global crisis might slow down the implementation of our plans but that is very undesirable.
Late last year it was decided to reorganize the Space Training Centre. How is it going? Does it mean that Russia, like USA, will have a single spacemen team?
Roscosmos is interested in having an integrated cosmonaut corps. The process is running in line with the valid legal procedures. These activities are planned to be finalized in the second half of 2009.
What was the amount of state financing for space programs in 2008?
The Federal Space Program is financed by the Federal budget and also through private investments in the space activities… Today the total amount of budget appropriation is over 560 billion rubles with investment expenses reaching about 120 billion rubles. Total volume of the involved funds is 173 billion rubles.
Today the Russian space industry is at the threshold of a new stage of development…As soon as this year we plan to provide operation of the national satellite navigation system GLONASS, with full coverage for the Russian territory, and global coverage will be maintained in late 2010. To achieve this, about 60 billion rubles have been assigned additionally from the Federal budget.
Could you dwell on international cooperation issues, particularly plans regarding China, Venezuela, Cuba, Brazil, Mexico and other developing countries?
…We continue our partnership with countries that have advanced space science and industry: USA, Europe, China, India, Japan. We also develop relations with our strategic partners from the CIS: we signed two interstate space cooperation agreements with Kazakhstan in 2008. We are about to complete agreements with Uzbekistan, Armenia and Belorussia. We also interact with other countries that develop space activities: South Korea and Brazil, primarily. Our joint “Soyuz in Guyana Space Centre” project with France is continuing, with the first launch of Souyz-ST planned for late 2009.
An active dialogue with the European Space Agency and the Japanese Space Agency allowed finding a common understanding of prolonging the operation of the International Space Station. Technological cooperation with European Space Agency was enhanced. An important new activity of Roscosmos in 2008 was our interaction with a few foreign partners for operation and development of GLONASS. It should be noted that we both work with our traditional partners and develop cooperation in the framework of GLONASS with the Middle East countries (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates) and Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Nicaragua). I presume that the list of countries wishing to cooperate with us in the framework of GLONASS will be steadily expanding.
We have attached particular importance to upgrading Brazil’s VLS launch vehicle. We offered a deep modernization project with an option of creating a modern launch system. The combination of a unique Russia’s technological basis and the geographic location of the Alcantara launch site allow creating a modern space port with a possibility of spacecraft launch by Brazil-produced launch vehicles. …
We believe that currently good political prerequisites have formed for a long-term scientific and technical partnership with countries of Latin America and Caribbean basin. That implies not only the potential consumers of the Russian space industry achievements but also the potential partners for space activities. …
Last year Roscosmos opened a rep office in PRC. Does it mean that soon Sino-Russian cooperation will be taken to a new level?
Space research and exploration for civil purposes is becoming more and more important for the Sino-Russian agenda. In this respect we need to note dynamically developing bilateral relations in this sphere, rooted in a long-term and mutually beneficial basis. We have done a lot to expand and deepen the bilateral relations and managed to achieve significant result together with our Chinese colleagues. The fact that 73 contracts covering 49 subjects have been signed over the time of our cooperation is enough to prove that.
It should be especially noted that China is becoming increasingly important in the global space community. Currently a range of joint prospective long-term scientific projects for exploration of Solar system planets and deep space has become the priority of our Chinese agenda. Its first practical result was the Agreement of Roscosmos and the Chinese National Space Administration for joint exploration of Phobos and Mars, signed in March, 2007.
Currently, experts from both countries are studying further cooperation in other projects many of which are of practical importance. This proves that our cooperation is being taken to a new level. To maintain regular business contacts with the representatives of the Chinese National Space Administration, Chinese enterprises and organizations, a subsidiary of Roscosmos was opened in China in 2008. I must note that this is our first subsidiary abroad and it was opened in China for a good reason. We expect to open a Russian subsidiary of the Chinese National Space Administration in 2009.
| Company: | Roscosmos (Federal Aerospace Agency) - Роскосмос |
| Position: | Head of Federal Aerospace Agency |
| Country: | Russian Federation |