Novosibirsk State University Advances into Small Spacecraft Production
Novosibirsk State University (NSU) has announced plans to commence the manufacture of small spacecraft in 2024, with the endeavor unfolding under the umbrella of NSU’s Advanced Engineering School (ESE) activities. This initiative comes through the NSU Advanced Engineering School and is reported by the Government of the Novosibirsk region. (Source: Government of the Novosibirsk region portal)
Professor Sergei Golovin, director of NSU NIS, indicated that the university will begin by producing satellite equipment before moving on to assemble the orbital hardware itself. The plan reflects a staged approach that allows engineers to build up expertise, test components, and ensure reliability across space-grade systems. (Source: NSU announcements)
The institution’s leadership emphasized the need to guarantee stable data transfer between devices across space platforms, addressing the interconnectivity of satellites and ground systems—often described as the Internet of things in space—both within Russia and beyond its borders. This focus aligns with broader goals of ensuring robust, secure communications in a rapidly evolving global space sector. (Source: NSU communications)
Within NSU, a Small Spacecraft Joint Laboratory has already contributed significant milestones. Two compact satellites, NORBI-1 and NORBI-2, were developed there and successfully launched into orbit in 2020 and 2023, respectively. These achievements illustrate NSU’s growing capabilities in small-satellite design, integration, and on-orbit operations, laying a foundation for future programs. (Source: NSU project records)
Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, NSU NIS specialists plan to advance projects focused on Russia-made sensors and sensors-driven technologies for applying artificial intelligence in industrial production, automation, oilfield activities, equipment condition monitoring, environmental surveillance, and carbon-emission analysis. The work aims to expand automation and data analytics across sectors important to national industry and environmental stewardship. (Source: NSU project briefings)
There is ongoing discussion about timelines for launching an analogue to the Starlink satellite internet network within Russia, signaling strategic interest in global connectivity solutions and the infrastructure needed to support autonomous and connected systems. (Source: NSU discussions)