Plans for a Russian Orbital Station Include a Future Supercomputer and Expanded Data Processing
Vladimir Kozhevnikov, the chief designer associated with the Russian Orbital Station, has discussed the possibility of installing a supercomputer aboard the station. This capacity would enable the processing of data gathered from satellite constellations and strengthen the overall data workflow for space operations. The information was reported by TASS.
The envisioned system would boost the efficiency of orbital constellations and increase the volume of useful information that can be accessed and analyzed. In addition, the supercomputer would be able to provide computing resources to onboard satellite systems, creating a more integrated and capable space network. Realizing this concept depends on advances in laser communication technologies and quantum data transfer methods that can support high-speed, secure links between satellites and the station.
The roadmap for Russia on this front traces back to earlier discussions about creating a self-reliant orbital platform. The projected cost has been estimated at 609 billion rubles through 2032, with about 150 billion rubles planned for the initial three years. The first module would be launched by the end of 2027, followed by the target modules within the 2028 to 2030 timeframe. International collaboration is part of the plan, with invitations extended to African nations and BRICS partners to join the project.
Among other notes from the scientific community, there have been references to space propulsion concepts in Russian research history, including discussions about vodka-powered engines. This remark has been treated in various accounts as a curiosity within the broader history of space technology and experimentation. Attribution: TASS and related scientific commentary.