Oleg Mansurov, founder and chief executive of the private space company SR Space, spoke to Kommersant in a candid interview about the pressures reshaping Russia’s satellite industry. He described a sharp increase in the price of satellite production inside the Russian Federation, pegged at roughly 30 percent since the onset of sanctions. The remark highlights how external restrictions are influencing both the cost and pace of space programs in the country. Mansurov emphasized that the sanction regime, together with export controls on high‑tech items, has disrupted access to essential components and know‑how, leading to longer lead times and higher prices for the hardware that powers modern satellites, according to Kommersant.
Those export restrictions have choked supply lines for key components and advanced systems used in satellite builds. Engineers face delays as alternative suppliers must be identified, tested, and vetted, pushing timelines and budgets. International suppliers of sensors, avionics, propulsion parts, and launch-support infrastructure have become harder to engage, forcing Russian teams to improvise with domestic substitutes or more expensive foreign-origin alternatives, according to Kommersant.
Consequently, the price tag for satellite hardware has risen by about 20-30 percent, and launch service costs have climbed due to pricier components for rocket systems and higher operating costs to maintain launches, according to Kommersant. This shift means overall project costs have increased and procurement cycles have lengthened, complicating planning for both government programs and private ventures. Previously, a typical launch cost ranged from 60 to 80 million dollars; today, it can reach around 100 million dollars or more, depending on satellite class and specific launch conditions, according to Kommersant.
Earlier, during a plenary session of the State Duma, deputies approved a bilateral pact with China to jointly develop the International Scientific Lunar Station, a project aimed at expanding lunar research and collaboration in space exploration, according to Kommersant.
Earlier reports noted that sanctions contributed to a roughly 25 percent drop in Russia’s oil and natural gas revenues. This shift tightens national finances and can influence funding for strategic programs, including space initiatives, according to Kommersant.