Roscosmos general manager Yuri Borisov argued that Russia must boost its spacecraft production to stay competitive as the planned constellation of 360 satellites by 2030 would fall far behind India’s projected fleet. As reported by DEA News, the current trajectory would see Russia’s share of space services shrink from about 3.5% today to roughly 0.5% if no changes are made.
According to Borisov, Russia trails the United States and China in satellite manufacturing capacity. The United States is reported to produce well over a thousand satellites annually, while China builds around 450, with Russia producing roughly 42. The implication is clear: if Russia keeps to the present pace, its relative influence in space services will erode compared with both major rivals and other leading spacefaring nations. This assessment, relayed by the head of Roscosmos, underscores a need to dramatically scale up production and capability.
To reverse this trend, Borisov proposed that Roscosmos should reach a production level capable of deploying a satellite each day, aiming for an orbital constellation totaling between 1,000 and 1,200 devices by 2030. Achieving such a pace would require not only technological advancements but also sustained investment, optimization of supply chains, and perhaps a reimagined national strategy for space hardware development. The shift would mark a substantial jump from today’s output and would position Russia more decisively among the major players in space infrastructure, according to the briefing summarized by DEA News.
Historically, Russia has faced challenges in sustaining a high-volume satellite production line, a reality that has influenced its current strategic rhetoric about scaling up. The discourse emphasizes the goal of returning to a position where Russia can reliably contribute a steady stream of satellites to orbital networks, supporting both civil and commercial applications. The discussion reflects ongoing debates about national priorities in space, including whether emphasis should be on small, low-Earth orbit satellites or larger, more capable platforms. The plan suggests that the next decade could become a turning point for Russia’s space program, with production momentum tied closely to funding, industrial policy, and international collaboration, as reported by DEA News.