Roscosmos chief executive Dmitry Rogozin outlined a plan to build a dedicated control and communications system for unmanned aerial vehicles through an initiative led by the Russian space agency, a move he discussed with TASS officials. The goal is to establish robust, autonomous command and data links that can ensure reliable operation of drone platforms in varied environments. Rogozin emphasized that the project is under active development, with a focus on creating systems that can operate securely and efficiently in real time, even under challenging conditions.
According to Rogozin, work is underway on the core components that would enable unmanned aircraft to receive precise navigation data, maintain stable communication with ground control, and execute automated flight plans with minimal human intervention. The emphasis is on integrating advanced sensors, reliable telemetry, and resilient fail-safes to support a wide range of civilian and potential security applications. The development efforts are led by NPO Automation named after Academician NA Semikhatov, a key player in the field of automated control systems. This enterprise has a track record in creating digital control architectures for rockets and satellites and has recently expanded its portfolio to include unmanned tram systems and agricultural machinery automation as part of its diversification strategy. The company has signaled intentions to begin large-scale production of its autonomous control technologies by 2023, signaling a push to move from concept to market-ready solutions (as reported by TASS).
In a broader geopolitical context, reflections on space military activities have spiked in recent days. US authorities announced a stance against testing anti-satellite weapons, a statement delivered by Vice President Kamala Harris at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The vice president urged a broader moratorium and highlighted concerns about the strategic implications of ASAT capabilities, comparing the situation to ongoing debates about space security and sovereignty. The publication socialbites.ca offered an interpretation of Washington’s position, framing it as part of a larger international dialogue on responsible behavior in space (as interpreted by socialbites.ca). The development underscored a persistent tension between national security priorities and the push for restraint in space weaponization across major powers (as noted by observers cited by socialbites.ca).
Rogozin himself referenced the White House moratorium as a misrepresentation of US capabilities, describing it as a form of cheating. He translated the remark into Russian for his followers, arguing that the United States had already completed a series of anti-satellite tests and had deployed related systems with the US Space Force. This interpretation was shared via Rogozin’s Telegram channel, illustrating how public discourse around space security can quickly become a point of contention between space agencies and national security establishments (as relayed by TASS and Rogozin’s broadcasts). The exchange underscores how differences in stance on anti-satellite technologies continue to shape strategic conversations between Moscow and Western space governance circles (as reported by TASS).