President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation called for a decisive shift in the space program, insisting that the spacecraft be moved onto the assembly line without delay. This direction was reported by TASS and reflected a push to accelerate practical steps in Russia’s orbital ambitions, focusing on turning strategic intentions into tangible production momentum and a clearer timeline for project milestones.
The demand went beyond a one off instruction. He clearfully urged the duplication of the domestic orbital group as soon as possible, arguing that speed and scale must go hand in hand. The plan hinges on transitioning from sporadic development to a steady cadence of manufacturing and testing, with the aim of building a resilient fleet that can operate reliably in near-Earth orbit and beyond, while maintaining the highest standards of quality control and risk management. This emphasis on ramping up both capacity and throughput underscores a strategic belief that sustained production is essential to maintaining independence in space capabilities and meeting national defense and scientific goals alike.
Putin underscored that the matter has been discussed repeatedly with Yuri Borisov, the head of Roscosmos, highlighting the iterative nature of strategic decisions in the Russian space sector. The repeated conversations signal a top‑level commitment to align leadership, engineering, and manufacturing teams under a shared objective. The dialogue spans technical tradeoffs, budgetary considerations, and the governance steps required to ensure that the program can absorb scaling while keeping risk in check. The result, according to officials familiar with the deliberations, would be a more cohesive, mission-ready policy that reduces delays and creates clearer accountability across the pipeline.
The president also ordered that the process of delivering spacecraft into orbit be made considerably cheaper. Lowering launch costs is presented as a critical lever for expanding Russia’s strategic options in space, improving competitiveness, and enabling more frequent missions for both defense and exploratory purposes. This directive touches on the economics of propulsion, launch services, vehicle reuse where feasible, and the monetization of in-country manufacturing capabilities that can support a broader supply chain. It is framed as a practical measure to unlock greater utilization of existing assets and to stimulate downstream activities in the space sector, from satellites to related technology demonstrations.
Earlier, Putin promised to look at the issue of salary increases within the space industry, acknowledging that attracting and retaining talent is essential to sustaining a robust program. The leadership appears ready to consider compensation, incentives, and professional development pathways to ensure engineers, technicians, and scientists feel valued and motivated. This approach reflects a broader understanding that the health of a high‑tech sector depends not only on hardware and funding but also on people who design, build, test, and operate complex systems in challenging environments. While he cautioned that such improvements could not be resolved with a single click, the message was clear: workforce investments must be integrated into an enduring strategy.
According to official briefings, the discussions culminated in a demonstration of leadership values during Putin’s visit to the Rocket and Space Company Energia in Korolev, located in the Moscow region. There he met with young specialists as part of an outreach effort to showcase ongoing commitments to the next generation of space professionals. The visit underscored a belief that mentorship, hands-on exposure, and direct interaction with senior leaders help cultivate a pipeline of talent capable of advancing Russia’s space science and engineering programs into the coming decades. The encounter was presented as a practical signal of ongoing support for the sector’s human capital, reinforcing the idea that progress rests as much on people as on hardware.
During the visit, Putin reportedly made a light remark about the existence of what some sources described as the “supreme government of Russia,” a playful note that drew attention to the sometimes ceremonial aspect of high-level governance in the context of a highly technical field. The comment appeared to be an attempt at levity in a setting where serious plans were being laid for future capability, while also reminding observers that leadership must balance authority with an understanding of day-to-day work in the laboratories and on the factory floors. The moment was received with mixed reactions in the press, but it underscored the human dimension of managing a premier national program with global implications. ”