Russia is moving forward with an ambitious project to build a new orbital service station, or ROSS, as part of its manned space program. Vladimir Solovyov, a veteran general designer for space systems at RSC Energia, indicated that construction could start in 2028. The comments came in a detailed interview with the glossy magazine Russian Space, offering rare insight into the timeline and strategic goals behind the project.
The plan outlines a two-phase development. If authorities give a positive decision before year-end, the first phase would kick off in 2028 with the launch of the Angara-A5M heavy-lift rocket. This vehicle is expected to deliver the core components of the station and begin establishing a continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit. The two-phase approach is designed to balance rapid capability gains with long-term station expansion and scientific utilization. The approach reflects a broader push to ensure Russia maintains a resilient space infrastructure that can support national priorities in science, exploration, and potential commercial activity in orbit.
Solovyov also suggested that ROSS could serve as a stepping stone for crewed missions to the Moon. The station could host missions and act as a staging area for deep-space exploration, potentially harboring a dedicated crewed spacecraft for lunar journeys. In this vision, ROSS would not only be a research platform but also a logistical hub for interplanetary missions, underscoring Russia’s aim to maintain a leading role in human spaceflight and planetary science. The concept includes the possibility that a spacecraft could travel to the Moon from the station itself, leveraging the orbital assets already in place. These ideas appear as part of a broader strategic framework for sustained lunar exploration and a future, more autonomous presence in near-Earth and deep-space environments [official statements; program briefings].
Earlier discussions at the top levels of Russia’s space leadership, including remarks by Roscosmos head Yuri Borisov, have framed the transition as a long-term shift away from reliance on existing commitments. In conversations with President Vladimir Putin, Borisov signaled that Russia plans to withdraw from the International Space Station program after 2024 and to begin constructing the new orbital station thereafter. The government and Roscosmos have emphasized that the new station would become the centerpiece of Russia’s manned spaceflight program, providing capabilities for research, technology demonstration, and international collaboration in a new orbital regime [government briefings; Roscosmos communications].
In related remarks, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin press secretary, clarified that the decision to pursue a domestic orbital platform had been contemplated well before the summer period in question, stressing continuity in leadership and policy rather than a sudden shift. The plan has been described as part of a long-term national space strategy that seeks to preserve Russia’s independent access to space and to expand its orbital capabilities beyond the ISS timeline [press briefings; public communications].
Publicly released materials from Roscosmos on social channels, including Telegram, have provided silhouettes of the envisaged station. These sketches outline a modular, enduring structure designed to support life support, scientific payloads, and crew operations while integrating with Russia’s broader launch and spacecraft programs. The concept leverages existing national launch assets and research institutions, aiming to deliver a robust, multi-decade platform for high-profile research and potential international cooperation in space operations [Roscosmos communications; official sketches].