Putin Oversees the Selection of the Vostochny Cosmodrome Site
In a gathering of upcoming scientists and space industry leaders, the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, stated that he personally chose the site for the Vostochny cosmodrome. The remark appeared in reports by TASS, highlighting the president’s hands-on role in this major national project.
The president noted that Roscosmos initially proposed a location near Vladivostok on the Pacific coast. After a thorough review, Roscosmos colleagues reported that the coastal weather conditions were not suitable for reliable launches and advised selecting a different region. Putin explained that he personally traveled to the region, inspected the area, and observed the landscape where the cosmodrome would be built. This account underscores the president’s direct involvement in the decision-making process for the project.
Thus, according to the president, the final choice of the Vostochny cosmodrome site was made under his personal supervision. The exchange between space authorities and the president illustrates a governance approach that prioritizes on-site assessment and firsthand observations in determining strategic locations for space infrastructure.
In related developments, it has been reported that the warning system for dangerous space situations is set to be modernized. The creation of the third phase of the Automatic Warning System for Hazardous Situations in Near-Earth Space, known as ASPOS OKP, will proceed through two testing stages: preliminary and interdepartmental. Following successful trials and verification against system requirements, a decision will be made to commission the modernized ASPOS OKP starting from the beginning of 2026. This program aims to strengthen the safety framework for orbital activities and ensure timely responses to potential threats in near-Earth space.
Before meeting Kim Jong-un, the president of Russia visited the Vostochny Cosmodrome, where discussions and inspections continued to focus on the future of Russia’s space program and international collaborations that may shape its trajectory in the years ahead. The site remains a focal point for Russia’s ambitions in space launch capabilities and domestic aerospace development, reflecting a broader strategy to enhance sovereignty and technical independence in space infrastructure.