MOSCOW, January 17. /TASS/. Russia’s private businesses can make a breakthrough in developing space technologies and the government should make sure they have sufficient support, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Belousov has said in comments on an agreement that was recently signed between businesses and the government on cooperation in the area of space.

Roscosmos earlier said it signed a separate letter of intent with the government and private companies to build satellite constellations and infrastructure on the ground.

"The time has come to really open up space for Russia’s private businesses and help domestic technology companies to make a breakthrough in the development of space technologies. The main novelty of the agreement is that it has formed a pool of interested companies and professionals in the space industry, who are ready to develop, produce and operate modern satellites and provide competitive services based on their use," he said.

According to the first deputy prime minister, "the government and Roscosmos are committed to supporting these companies and providing assistance at all stages of the life cycle of their products."

"Roscosmos will certainly ensure the application of a systematic approach to the management of the satellite constellation, will offer its capabilities for the development and production of satellites, as well as services for launching small spacecraft into orbit. The government will primarily provide regulatory, organizational and financial support," Belousov said.

Roscosmos Director General Yury Borisov said that the basis for expanding the orbital constellation will be provided by production lines that the state corporation plans to build.

"But we must follow global trends and open the market to private investment, following the example of the United States, Europe and China. The signing of this agreement is the first step in the practical implementation of our plans," Roscosmos quoted Borisov as saying.

 

Road map

 

In accordance with the cooperation deal, the cabinet, Roscosmos and private companies will implement a road map to research and develop advanced space systems and services that’s intended to cover the period through 2030. Its main tasks include the qualitative and quantitative development of the orbital constellation and the transition to a unified space industry data system in Russia. It is also planned to encourage commercial companies to invest in the industry, coordinate the creation of advanced space systems of a new generation and the formation of unified information space based on the use of the capabilities of a multi-satellite constellation.

To reach the objectives the government plans to create a comfortable regulatory environment, apply tax incentives and provide other financial support. Roscosmos and private companies will conduct research and development, invest in the production and promotion of products, and create competence centers.

"That will facilitate the development of satellite communication systems in Russia and remote sensing of the Earth, starting from designing orbital constellations and all the way to the final product, creating domestic services to meet internal demand," Roscosmos said.