Russia`s space industry is set for a hefty hike in funding. In 2006, its budget will balloon to $690 million, and Russia will share fifth or sixth place with India in the global financial league table (after the U.S., EU, Japan and China).
According to Anatoly Perminov, the head of the Federal Space Agency, the trend is set to continue in the future.
In 2004, Russia launched two spacecraft more than in 2003, for a total of 23 launches, or 42.6% of the worldwide number. The U.S. accounted for 29.6%; China, 14.8%; the EU, 5.6%; and India, 1.9%.
Even if the Americans had not grounded their space shuttles, Russia would still be leading the world. Big contracts concluded with Brazil, France and India confirm its competitiveness.
The total number of spacecraft in the world is now 770, with 424 owned by the U.S. Russia comes second with 98, of which 35 are used for economic purposes, 55 cater to the Defense Ministry, and many have dual capabilities. One craft works for science.
Proton rockets are responsible for 35% of all Russian launches. The Dnepr, Zenit and Tsiklon each account for one or two launches a year. Efforts continue to upgrade the Proton and develop a new series of Angara rockets powered by ecologically clean fuel. The Angara-5, which is going to be the most powerful of all, will outperform the Proton and, unlike the Proton, could lift off not from Baikonur, but from the Plesetsk space center in Northern Russia. New Tsiklon and Zenit modifications are also being developed.
The 2005 Zhukovsky air and space show featured a reusable Russian space vehicle, Kliper, being designed by the Russian space company Energiya (RKK Energiya). The Russian shuttle will carry a crew of six. It will be much more spacious than the Soyuz craft, provide a normal living environment, and can be used for lunar or Martian expeditions.
Izvestia
sections: Region News, Hi-Tech regions: Central region |