News Roscosmos News

[SiberianTiger]

As the center is to be close to the launch pad, it shall be located several kilometers deep underground, with the protection layer of soil atop, in order to protect the facility against atmospheric and industrial impacts.

WHAT!? :blink:

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

WHAT!? :blink:

Maybe a bad translation by Roscosmos PAO (the orginial article was in Cyrillic)?

 

[SiberianTiger]

Maybe a bad translation by Roscosmos PAO (the orginial article was in Cyrillic)?

Exactly. The original text had metres, and not kilometres deep into the ground.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

RIA Novosti: "Russia proposes launch of Arktika space monitoring project in 2014".

---------- Post added at 10:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:14 PM ----------

Roscosmos PAO: "Anatoly Perminov: GLONASS Global Coverage to be Achieved by 2011".

Global coverage by Russian Navigation System GLONASS is to be achieved by 2011, Roscosmos Head Anatoly Perminov said answering the question by the Voice of Russia.
"Orbital constellation is the main thing here. Today 21 satellites are operational in the GLONASS constellation. 24 are required for global coverage", Perminov explained.
He added that by the end of the year, 24 or more Glonass satellites will comprise the constellation, provided that the launches will be conducted in line with the schedule.

Roscosmos PAO: "Russia to Launch 3 More Earth Observation Satellites in 1.5 Years".

Russian Earth observation orbital constellation to be enlarged by three more satellites in 1 - 1.5 years, Anatoly Perminov, Head of the Russian Federal Space Agency said questioned by The Voice of Russia.
"We still miss satellites, in reality we have only two – Resource-DK and Meteor-M1. We understand that this is not enough", Perminov stated.
According to him, data of both spacecraft are in demand, but Meteor provides more data about forest fires.
Perminov also added that another Russian weather satellite Electro-L is to be launched in 2010, provided successful completion of the necessary testing.
The other spacecraft, Kanopus-V is slated for launch in the first quarter of 2011. Resource-P will probably fly in 2011 as well, Perminov said.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Roscosmos PAO: "Launches from Vostochny to Commence after 2015 – Roscosmos Head".

Roscosmos Head Anatoly Perminov states that initially new Russian space port Vostochny will not be able to replace Baikonur completely. Perminov said this questioned by the Voice of Russia.
"It is not possible to replace Baikonur completely. We will construct Vostochy step by step, and the new port won't be similar to Baikonur, as advanced methods and approaches are applied here", Perminov noted.
Baikonur located at Kazakh territory is rented by Russia. Russia currently constructs space port Vostochny in Amur region. Vostochy will be used in the future for the launches of new-generation rockets and vehicles. The maiden launch is slated after 2015.

Khrunichev Space Center PAO: "Cold Tests of Universal Rocket Module URM-2 for Angara Launcher Continue".

NITS RKP, Peresvet, continues cold firing tests of Universal Rocket Module URM-2 for Angara launcher. URM-2 is to be used in the third stage of the rocket. The first and second sessions of the cold firing tests have been completed in June-July.
The third stage of the URM-2 bench firing tests is in process. Firing tests of the URM-1 for the first stage of Angara have been completed in 2009.
The cold tests are to validate pneumo-hydraulic system of the module, with simultaneous pouring from the fuel and oxidizer tanks. The results are to confirm URM readiness for firing tests.
Cold tests imply verification of all module systems, up to engine start. This includes validation of the fuel/oxidizer drain/pressurization system, verification of the pressure levels in the F/O tanks, mass consumption of the propellant components, etc.
Development of the Angara launcher is the high-priority national objective. Angara's customers are Russian Federal Space Agency and the Ministry of Defense. Khrunichev Space Center is the prime contractor in the project.

Roscosmos PAO: "Russian Scientists to Launch Biological Tourists to Space".

Russia will develop its space medical and biological programs in the coming years, IBMP DG Igor Ushakov told news media.
"The biomedical studies will go on with the launch of Bion-M, slated for May 29, 2012", Ushakov stated.
Mice, lizards, snails and microorganisms are planned to fly. The mission will last 30 days.
In addition, the other biological spacecraft, Photon-M is to be flown in 2013. Photon's mission will last for 2 months.
According to IBMP Head, space laboratories OKA-T-ISS are to be launched in 2015 and 2020. Each 5 years, these spacecraft will dock to the International Space Station in order to study biological samples inside the OKAs by the ISS crews.
High-elliptical Vozvrat-MKAs are to be flown in 2016, 2018 and 2020, to study behavior of the living organisms on the altitude of 200 thousand km over the Earth.

 

[N_Molson]

Looks like that Russia has several near-term interesting projects, manned and unmanned. I hope that they will be able to fund most of them, that would bring some healthy competition on the international scene :thumbup:

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

ITAR-TASS: "All decisions made to start work on Vostochny space site 2011".

All necessary decisions are in place for launching the construction of the spaceport Vostochny in the Amur region in 2011, the head of the federal space agency (Roscosmos), Anatoly Perminov, said at a meeting of the Scientific and Technical Council devoted to the sketch of a future high-capacity next-generation space rocket complex of middle-class for the spaceport Vostochny.

The Roscosmos chief recalled that "the Russian federal space program for 2006-2015 provides for the implementation of priority guidelines for space activities and the creation in the Amur Region of a spaceport for research, social, economic, and commercial dual-purpose tasks, preparations for and launches of space vehicles, cargo spacecraft and modules of orbital stations, manned space missions and future space programs for the study and exploration of celestial bodies, as well as the implementation of international cooperation in this sphere."

According to Perminov, "by now all the necessary decisions to ensure the beginning of construction work at the site of the Vostochny spaceport in 2011 have been made."

"All fundamental decisions regarding Russia’s new cosmodrome have been worked out. Roscosmos attached special importance to the choice of future advanced launch vehicles," he stressed.

"The contract for preliminary research into the project in accordance with the terms of reference was awarded to TsSKB Progress," said Perminov. "We believe that the space rocket complex Rus-M, being developed in the experimental fashion, will be the core element of a future Russian space infrastructure to ensure launches of manned spacecraft of a new generation and of unmanned spacecraft for various purposes from the Vostochny spaceport."

As Roscosmos has said, "Perminov, in general supported the chosen direction of the design work and the proposed steps of creating this complex."

He set the task of developing and presenting within the shortest deadlines the required terms of reference.

"The work on the complex has entered the practical phase and it is necessary to draw up action plans for each item on the agenda and to appoint officials responsible in order to ensure the task set to us be accomplished in due time," said Perminov.

:speakcool: :thumbup:

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Roscosmos PAO: "Roscosmos Scientific and Engineering Board Held a Meeting".

On August 25, a meeting of Roscosmos Scientific and Engineering Board held a meeting at the premises of the Federal Space Agency. The agenda covered the issues linked with draft design of the mid-class rocket space system of new generation with high lifting capacity for Vostochny space port.

In his introductory speech, Roscosmos Head Anatoly Perminov stated, in particular:
"National Federal Space Program of 2006 – 2015 implies accomplishment of the high priority objectives of space explration, including construction of Vostochy space port in Amur region. The space port is intended for launches of scientific, social, economical, double and commercial-use spacecraft, as well as transport vehicles and modules of orbital stations, human space missions and advanced space object study programs, including international cooperation.
Development of the new-generation mid-class rocket system for Vostochny is a key milestone on the way to achieve the goals defined.
Government of the Russian Federation pays significant attention to Vostochny project. According to the relevant acts, construction of the space port will begin in 2011. Ground infrastructure is funded under the Federal Space Program. Supporting infrastructure is funded through the Special Program on Space Port Development.
System design of the space port was reviewed with the additional important goal to define the launching system for Vostochny. System proposals were submitted by all interested Russian companies. As a result, Vostochny's launch system design was defined, together with technical spec approved by Roscosmos and Space Forces. The contract was won by TsSKB-Progress.
The space rocket system developed in the framework of the Rus-M experimental and design project is to become the core element of the future Russian space infrastructure.
Roscosmos has special requirements wrt the ground infrastructure which is to take into account the most advanced heritage of the space powers in order to be optimal.
Vostochny infrastructure shall be based on the principals of rationality and compactness; to be safe, with minimum expenses for storage and maintenance of the spacecraft and rockets, thus enhancing our competitiveness in the world market of launch services.
Today's discussion of the draft design of the mid-class rocket space system of new generation with high lifting capacity for Vostochny space port developed by Progress is to be followed by conclusion of the state customer".

Progress DG Alexander Kirilin reported about the draft design of the new rocket system developed by the company. More presentations came from TSNIIMASh DG Gennady Raikunov, Technomash DG Alexander Kotov, Agat Director Alexander Kurilenko and other officials.
Concluding about the results of the meeting, Roscosmos Head stated that he would support the design approach, as well as the project milestone schedule.
He noted that: "…the Technical Spec is to be completed and submitted for approval in the nearest future". Perminov added that the master-schedule is to incorporate the comments of the meeting, including joint work of Progress with Khrunichev Space Center.
"Development of the advanced launch system has reached its practical phase. Here, we have to define responsibilities for each milestone in order to complete the efforts in time".

---------- Post added at 10:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:04 PM ----------

Spaceflight Now: "Russia plans to start cosmodrome work in 2011".

 

[SiberianTiger]

Still no official word on intention of Energia to independently use a Zenit with strap-on boosters as the launcher for the new space ship?

 

[N_Molson]

Good, seems they are on the right track :thumbup:

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

RussianSpaceWeb: "Rus-M design is ready".

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Roscosmos PAO: "Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Unveiled a Plaque Commemorating the Start of Construction of the Vostochny Space Port".

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin continued his working visit to the Amur Region on August 28. He arrived in his Lada Kalina car at the site of a geological survey for the construction of the Vostochny Russian National Cosmodrome, where Mr Putin familiarised himself with the blueprints and layout of the future spaceport.

Anatoly Perminov, head of the Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), told Mr Putin that two launch pads are planned for the spaceport, with appropriate infrastructure to prepare rockets for launch and assembly buildings. A special complex for training astronauts and medical examinations will also be built. Mr Perminov stressed the importance of building a runway.

Inspecting the boundaries of the future spaceport, Putin advised ensuring that there is extra land to avoid "any problems in the future." Anatoly Perminov said that the Vostochny Cosmodrome, equipped with modern technology, will occupy an area ten times smaller than the Baikonur Cosmodrome and three times smaller than the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

Mr Putin noted that the spaceport should lay 150 km of railway lines and the same length of dirt roads. As for energy, the spaceport will have the largest energy supply among Russian cosmodromes due to the launch of the nearby Bureyskaya Hydropower Station.

Mr Putin unveiled a plaque commemorating the start of construction of the spaceport. The plaque is affixed to a large granite slab and reads: "A spaceport will be built here." Mr Putin personally removed the sheet covering the slab. Mr Putin touched the plaque and said: "Consider that the start!"

Roscosmos PAO: "Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Held a Meeting on the Vostochny National Space Port Project in the Town of Uglegorsk, Amur Region".

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin noted at the meeting that the Vostochny Cosmodrome is intended to reaffirm Russia's "high status and leading position" in space technology and exploration, adding that construction of the cosmodrome will reinvigorate the economy of Russia's Far East, creating new, prestigious and well-paying jobs in the region.

Federal budget allocations totaling 24.5 billion roubles will be disbursed for the Vostochny Cosmodrome project over the next three years, Mr Putin announced. In his view, the necessary managerial structures should be established and large-scale work should begin before the end of 2011.


Vladimir Putin's opening remarks:

God afternoon, colleagues!

Everyone in the world, and especially here in Russia, has long known that the principal, main spaceport in the Soviet Union was Baikonur.

Unfortunately, as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union, this spaceport stayed in a country friendly to us but in another country nonetheless - Kazakhstan.

Thanks to the policies of President Nursultan Nazarbayev, who pays great attention to integration processes in the former Soviet Union and is building the closest possible alliance with Russia, the country is still using the Baikonur Cosmodrome for its missions. What is more, we signed a lease agreement lasting until 2050.

Still, for our own needs, we were forced to adapt military installations, including the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, and of course, this is not enough for such a strong spacefaring nation as Russia.

That is why even in 1995-1996 we started talking about the need to establish our own modern spaceport on our own Russian territory - not just adapted for civilian needs, but a modern, state-of-the-art scientific and technological base.

I must say that establishing a new spaceport - the decree on its construction was signed in 2007 - is one of the largest and most ambitious projects in modern Russia. Construction of this facility will provide an opportunity not only to reaffirm Russia's technological status and mobilise our intellectual resources and industrial potential. What is equally important, the project will enable hundreds and perhaps thousands of professionals and, above all young professionals, to express themselves and their talents and realise their most ambitious plans.

And, of course, building this spaceport will serve as a good, solid push for the development of the Far Eastern region of the Russian Federation and create new, prestigious and well-paid jobs here.

We are proud of our space exploration. The Soviet Union and Russia have always been leaders in space exploration. We recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, which I mentioned, and the launch of Sputnik. In 2011, we will commemorate the first human space flight - the flight of Yuri Gagarin.

The Vostochny Cosmodrome is intended to confirm the high status of the Russian space programme and the leadership of Russia in this field. It will provide the country with independent access to space for all types of spaceships and vehicles, including manned vehicles and long-term missions to study the Moon and Mars.

Of course, we intend to continue cooperating with Kazakhstan - I have already mentioned this cooperation - we have a contract that is valid until 2050. And with our French partners, I hope we will have our first launch from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, in the first half of 2011.

However, demand for space technology and space services is high, and it continues to grow steadily. I'm sure this will continue in the future. This means that none of these sites will be vacant - all of them will be busy.

But again, for us it is essential to have your own spaceport - a high-tech, modern one that meets all the requirements of the 21st century and is located on our own territory. This concerns our technological development and our national security. In addition, this direct investment in the creation of an innovative economy and the development of Russian regions is critical for the Russian Far East.

In the next three years, 24.5 billion roubles from the federal budget will be allocated for the construction of the Vostochny Cosmodrome.

By the end of 2011 - now I want to talk about the stages of our work - we will need to complete all design, survey and preliminary engineering work to create all the necessary conditions, including organisational ones, establishing an organisational and managerial structure, starting work on the site and beginning large-scale operations.

The next stage is 2015-2016. By this time, the first launch should be ready and we can begin launching spacecraft. In 2016-2018, the second stage of the spaceport should be ready and we should begin launching commercial satellites. Finally, in 2018-2020, we will have the first launches of manned spacecraft.

Simultaneously with the creation of technological infrastructure, and perhaps at an even faster pace, we will need to address social problems. A new, modern city that is comfortable in all respects must be built - comfortable for the people who will live and work there. It must have comfortable flats and residential buildings. It should have new hospitals, clinics, schools, kindergartens and sports facilities.

This will be very complex and major undertaking, but also very interesting. And I have no doubt that our professionals - construction workers, scientists and technical specialists in all fields - will perform this work properly and in the designated time.

Let's start the discussion. Mr Perminov, if you please.

Anatoly Perminov (Anatoly Perminov - head of the Federal Space Agency): Mr Putin, the main goals of the Russian space programme are guaranteed access to space and achieving independence in space operations across the spectrum of currents tasks. As you have noted, these goals will be met, primarily, by bulding a spaceport of scientific and socio-economic significance in Russia.

The first slide shows that Vostochny Cosmodrome will allow us to complete 40% of tasks related to the domestic orbital constellation of spacecraft by 2020, including manned space flights, meteorological observation, communications, television broadcasting, navigation, remote sensing for scientific purposes. The share of tasks completed using the Baikonur Cosmodrome will fall from 65% to 11%. The share of launches is shown in the second slide: the share of carrier rockets launched from the new spaceport will reach 45% in 2020, with 44% from Plesetsk and 11% from Baikonur.

It should be noted that today there is very strong competition indeed in the international launch market. Russia's share last year was 40%, and it continues to grow. Currently, there are already 21 spaceports or rocket-launching pads owned by 11 countries.

New launch sites are being built in China, Korea, Indonesia, Brazil, so three of them are located here in the rapidly developing Asia-Pacific region. Existing launch sites are being expanded, especially the Guiana Space Centre. So for us to maintain progress on the global market and achieve more, Russia, of course, needs a new spaceport, which would reflect our priority of building new manned spacecraft, spacecraft and launch vehicles. Of course, if you renovate old, existing launching sites, it will entail huge costs, so is much easier to build new facilities.

Vladimir Putin: I would like to remind you that we took quite a long time to choose a place to build the new spaceport. Experts search for a location for a year and a half, if I'm not mistaken...

Anatoly Perminov: A year and a half, yes.

Vladimir Putin: ...and they considered various places in the Russian Federation, including two places on the Pacific coast. Still, after analysing all factors affecting this important decision, this area was selected because based on its geographic location, based on the fields of incidence, based on the fact that this location can launch heavier spacecraft into orbit with lower fuel costs and a host of other important factors. In the end, we settled on this region.

I believe that one of the most important factors is infrastructure. Here there is railway access, and we're finishing a motorway - we'll still talk about this and a lot remains to be done for the motorway, especially on the way to Khabarovsk - but in general the infrastructure has been built. The river port and the airport have been built, and there will be sufficient electrical power.

These are all very important considerations during the decision-making process.

Anatoly Perminov: The idea of a building a spaceport - as shown on Slide Number 3 - is to reach our goals of preserving Russia's status as a leading space power, with guaranteed access to space from its territory, and aiding the socio-economic development of the Russian Far East, as well as creating the conditions necessary to carry out ambitious projects in space, economic development, and strengthening the population in the Far East by upgrading the local industrial base and creating the conditions necessary to attract investment to the region.

Funding the construction of space infrastructure and launch pads is part of the Federal Space Programme and providing for infrastructure is part of the federal target programme for the development of Russian spaceports.

As you said, as part of the state commission - I will not dwell on questions of choosing a place of deployment; this is shown in the fourth slide -like a true professional, you identified almost all the conditions...

Vladimir Putin: At some stage, I remember that you reported that other places were better.

Anatoly Perminov: Yes, I reported on that, but I wasn't taking into account two factors that played a crucial role - earthquakes and...

Remark: Strong winds.

Anatoly Perminov: ...visibility and strong winds in the place that we proposed. Everything else was equal, but now these two factors make them two and a half times more expensive, so the proposal was deemed unacceptable.

Vladimir Putin: It would be necessary to carry out earthquake resistance measures.

Anatoly Perminov: Yes, there are major measures there. No spaceport in the world is built to be earthquake resistant. We decided not to do this, we reported on it to you, and you took a decision.

Vladimir Putin: Yes.

Anatoly Perminov: At present, the necessary foundation is in place for the transition to actually beginning construction.

Currently, a systematic project has been created - as shown on the fifth slide -
a blueprint design was made for a manned transportation system and the rocket launch pad for mid-sized rockets with increased carrying capacity. An interagency commission has been established and is working on coordinating activities related to construction of the spaceport, the prime contractors have been selected and land in the Amur region has been reserved, and the town of Uglegorsk has retained its status of a closed administrative-territorial formation.

Thank you.

* * *

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin spoke to residents of the village of Uglegorsk in the Amur Region, where the new spaceport is to be built. Asked about the future of the village, Putin said, "The future will be good, because we are planning to build a new Russian spaceport, a new city for 30,000-35,000 people, a launch complex (several launch complexes, in fact) and several companies - a good, large, full-scale spaceport. In this sense, the future will be good."

Speaking about the new jobs the spaceport will create, the prime minister noted that preference will be given to professionals from the Amur Region, "especially from around here," where "military units specializing in space operations are stationed."

"So your professionals will be in demand," said Mr Putin.

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Space Daily: "Manned space flights from new Russian base in 2018: Putin".

---------- Post added at 11:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:27 PM ----------

Russia Today Video: Bye Bye, Baikonur! Russian rockets to blast off from own space launch pad by 2018.​

---------- Post added at 04:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:31 PM ----------

ITAR-TASS: "Putin rules out lease of Vostochny cosmodrome".

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has ruled out a possibility of leasing the Vostochny cosmodrome.

"Russia ranks first in the world in space rocket launchings; therefore, we do not have to lease. We will fulfill our obligations that exist today and the obligations that will arise tomorrow. We have contracts in space activities; intergovernmental agreements scheduled for several years had been concluded and will be concluded in future. Moreover, today we cannot satisfy all the requests," Putin said in an interview to Rossiya 24 news channel.

As for the future of Vostochny, "I am sure it will be guaranteed by orders both from Russian consumers and from our partners abroad," Putin said.

Source.

 

[SiberianTiger]

I'm wondering, what kind of leasing he was asked about?

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Russia considers ground facilities in SA to support its satellites.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

RussianSpaceWeb: "Russia plans multi-step Moon exploration".

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

RIA Novosti: "Russia to test unmanned lander for Mars moon mission".

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

RIA Novosti: "Sirius XM-5 satellite delivered to Baikonur for October launch".

Roscosmos PAO: "Sirius XM-5 Delivered to Baikonur".
An-124 Ruslan airplane delivered Sirius XM-5 spacecraft to Baikonur this morning.
After the customs clearance, the satellite and the auxiliary equipment were transported to site 92A-50 for further prelaunch processing.
Proton-M/Breeze-M are planned to loft Sirius XM-5 in mid October.

Roscosmos PAO: "Baikonur's Pad Prepared for Proton/Sirius XM-5 Launch".
Yuzhny Space Center – TSENKI subsidiary- today initiated processing of pad 81 for the upcoming launch of US Sirius XM-5 spacecraft by Proton-M/Breeze-M.
In parallel, foreign experts, with support of Khrunichev Space Center, unload the spacecraft from the container. After that, Sirius XM-5 will be accommodated in the test bench for further prelaunch verifications.
Proton-M undergoes autonomous testing. Breeze-M leak checks are performed. At the filling station, the equipment is prepared for further prop loading into the Breeze's high pressure tanks.
The launch is to occur on Oct. 14.

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Originally posted by orb in O-F's ChatBox:

Spaceflight Now: "Baikonur welcomes Sirius XM Radio satellite for launch".

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

RIA Novosti: "Russia plans to restore its weather satellite network by 2030".

 

[SiberianTiger]

RIA Novosti: "Russia plans to restore its weather satellite network by 2030".

What a feat is to do it by 2030! :dry:

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

What a feat is to do it by 2030! :dry:

That's still 10 years sooner than Orion will fly! :rofl:

---------- Post added at 10:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:49 PM ----------

RIA Novosti: "Russia supplies another batch of rocket engines to the U.S.".

Russia Today: "Russia ships four Atlas rocket engines to US".

---------- Post added at 10:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:35 PM ----------

RIA Novosti: "Russia plans to restore its weather satellite network by 2030".

More on this:


Roscosmos PAO: "Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Signed Executive Order No. 1458-r of September 3, 2010".

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has signed an executive order adopting a strategic plan for the development of hydrometeorology and related fields up to 2030, which includes a package of measures for the first phase from 2010 to 2012.
The strategy takes into account ongoing and anticipated climate changes. The government recommends that federal and regional executive bodies consider the objectives set forth in this document while implementing plans for the social and economic development of the Russian Federation.
The Plan defines the following steps, among the others:
- Development of space observation system (5 natural resource and oceanography satellites) in the framework of the Russian Space Program.
- Development of Arctica multipurpose space system, including high-priority climate and hydrometeorology monitoring systems.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

RIA Novosti: "Kazakhstan to join Russia-Ukraine space program".

RIA Novosti: "Cuba may link up to GLONASS system".

---------- Post added at 02:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:44 AM ----------

Roscosmos PAO: "GLONASS to Become Profitable in 2013".

Russian Global Navigation System GLONASS will bring profit in 2013, Russian Vice Premier Sergey Ivanov said quoted by Russia 24 TV channel.
Ivanov links system’s profitability with marketing of the GLONASS devices which are to be installed on cars, mobile telephones and electronic equipment.
According to Ivanov, GLONASS devices to appear in the market in late 2012. Until then, the system will be used mostly by the Government.
By now, several thousands of transport vehicles have been equipped with GLONASS.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

TAS PAO: "Russian Space Operator Kosmicheskaya Sviaz , ISS – Reshetnev and Thales Alenia Space Sign Tri-Partite Contracts".

Thales Alenia Space announces tri-partite contracts with RSCC (Russian Space Operator) and JSC “ISS – Reshetnev Company” to supply the Express AM8, AT1 and AT2 communications satellite payloads.
Thales Alenia Space will be the communications payloads supplier. The satellite will be based on an Express 1000 platform provided by JSC “ISS – Reshetnev Company” and the satellites will be integrated and tested in ISS’ premises, Krasnoyarsk, Russia.
Express AM8 will operate at 14°W for a 15 years lifetime. The payload power is about 5.9 kW. AM8 will carry 24 active C-band transponders covering Europe-Africa and America, 16 active Ku-band transponders covering Europe-Asia, Africa, North and South America and 2 active L-band transponders.
Express AT1 will operate at 56°E for a 15 years lifetime. The payload power is about
5.6 kW. AT1 will carry 32 active Ku-band transponders over West and East Russia.
Express AT2 will operate at 36°E for a 15 years lifetime. The payload power is about
3 kW. AT2 will carry 16 active Ku-band transponders over West Russia.
“Cooperation with Russia is strategically important for Thales Alenia Space who does plan to continue to involve Russian space industry and expertise on a larger and deeper level” declared Reynald Seznec, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space. “For AM8, AT1 and AT2 satellites, Thales Alenia Space has proposed to its customer and to the Russian Authorities to further deepen existing collaboration and develop a new industrial partnership”, he added.
Thales Alenia Space has a history of successful cooperation of more than 15 years with Russia since the SESAT programme. RSCC is a very important customer to Thales Alenia Space and for a great number of its satellites, Thales Alenia Space has provided payloads, which were integrated with Russian platforms: Express-A1, Express-A2, Express-A3, Express-A4, Express-AM11, Express-AM22, Express-AM2, Express-AM3, Express-AM33, Express-AM44 (all with ISS), plus Express-MD1 and Express-MD2 (with Khrunichev).
The partnership with the Russian industry began in the early 2000s when Thales Alenia Space and ISS started joint marketing of satellites based on ISS' Express-1000 platform. The combination of ISS and Thales Alenia Space products and skills to serve this strategic partnership has recently triggered two important projects on the international market, namely Amos 5 and Telkom 3. With these tri-partite contracts announced today, the strategic cooperation between Thales Alenia Space and ISS is further reinforced and once again proven to be a successful one.

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RIA Novosti: "Thales Alenia Space to supply components for Russian satellites".