Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently visited the Energia rocket and space corporation.
Image credit: Roscosmos/Inside Outer Space screengrab

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently visited the Energia rocket and space corporation, receiving a briefing on the Russian Orbital Station, among other work-in-progress space projects.

The October 26^th visit by Putin included a meeting with young employees of various space industry enterprises.

The head of Roscosmos, Yuri Borisov briefed Putin, a visit also involving Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, along with General Designer of RSC Energia Vladimir Solovyov.

Image credit: Roscosmos/Inside Outer Space screengrab

Also on the agenda for Putin was inspection of samples of small spacecraft engines, mock-ups of reusable launch vehicles, including the Transport Energy Module, a new inter-orbital tug based on a nuclear power propulsion system.

Russia Orbital Station artwork.
Image credit: Roscosmos/Inside Outer Space screengrab

November design decision

Putin said that the first module of the Russian Orbital Station can be launched into orbit in 2027 as the resources of the International Space Station are exhausted, adding that the decision on Russia’s station must be made quickly.

RSC Energia plans to complete work on adjusting the preliminary design of the Russian Orbital Station by November.

Next-generation Russian spacecraft approaches Russia Orbital station.
Image credit: Roscosmos/Inside Outer Space screengrab

Russia’s next-generation spacecraft to replace the Soyuz spacecraft.
Image credit: Roscosmos/Inside Outer Space screengrab

Recently, Roscosmos’s Borisov said on Russian state television that the International Space Station “is approaching the finish line of its existence.”

Borisov noted that “we extended the operation of the Russian segment by government decision until 2028, but, unfortunately, it has already exceeded all permissible periods of existence,” he said. “Eighty percent of the Russian equipment is beyond the warranty period.”