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Russian government approves plan for space program implementation

The plan envisages deployment of an orbital group of 66 satellites by 2016
Photo ITAR-TASS/Dmitry Astakhov
Photo ITAR-TASS/Dmitry Astakhov

MOSCOW, September 11 (Itar-Tass) - Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has approved the plan for the implementation of the 2013-2020 state program for Russian space activities for 2013 and the period from 2014 to 2015. The corresponding document is published on the government website.

The program was approved on December 28, 2012. It defines aims and objectives to develop space activities and the space rocket industry till 2020 and indices for the implementation. The document also determines indices to forecast federal budget expenditures. It is aimed to ensure achievement of aims and priorities for the country's social and economic development, the government said.

The plan sets periods to implement specific programs of the Roscosmos Russian Space Agency, the Federal Space Program for 2006-2015, the program to support, develop and use the GLONASS (global navigation) system for 2012-2020, the program to develop Russian launch space centers and the priority innovation projects of the missile and space industry.

The plan envisages deployment of an orbital group of 66 satellites by 2016, efficient use of Baikonur space centre, creation of the infrastructure at Vostochny (Eastern) space center to launch space vehicles with the use of Soyuz rockets, support and renewal of the GLONASS orbital group and use of the Russian segment of the International Space Station.

The implementation of the plan is aimed at ensuring guaranteed access and necessary presence of Russia in space in the interests of the country's social and economic development and maintaining Russia's leading positions to carry out manned space missions and fulfill international obligations in space activities, the cabinet noted.