Rocket and Space Corporation (RKK) Energia, a key player within Roscosmos, has initiated a formal order to develop a comprehensive concept for how a Russian orbital outpost could operate in practice. This initiative appears in published public procurement materials and signals a serious step toward exploring a domestic orbital platform. The aim is to shape a credible, detailed plan that can guide decision-makers from the early stages of concept to concrete technical requirements and eventual implementation. The procurement documents underscore that the exercise is not merely theoretical; it is intended to craft a practical position on how the orbital station would be used, what its core purposes would be, and how its business model might function in real-world conditions.
According to the materials, the purpose of this sequence of events is to prepare a reasoned position on the intended use and objectives of a Russian orbital station, including an assessment of potential applications and the value proposition for different stakeholders. The narrative emphasizes the creation of a framework that clarifies not just the technical goals, but also the broader strategic intent behind an orbital platform designed to operate in space for extended periods, with an emphasis on reliability, safety, and economic viability. In that sense, the exercise looks for clarity on what the station is meant to achieve and how it fits into Russia’s long-term space aspirations.
Further, the materials state that the process will outline a viable business model for a crewed orbital system, detailing its intended uses, missions, and the functional requirements that will shape the station’s configuration and consumer properties. This includes a clear mapping of how operations could be conducted, what services might be offered from orbit, and how such offerings could be monetized or strategically valued by the state and potential partners. The document highlights the objective of translating exploratory concepts into concrete technical criteria, ensuring that every function is aligned with real-world needs and performance expectations for a future ROS platform.
Beyond technical and economic considerations, the initiative mentions the identification and analysis of potential interested parties who could participate in the project. This means evaluating a spectrum of entities—from domestic research institutes and industrial partners to international collaborators—while weighing how their involvement could influence design choices, risk sharing, and funding structures. The goal is to assemble a broad view of the ecosystem surrounding a national orbital station and to gauge interest, capability alignment, and strategic compatibility with Russia’s space program goals.
The contract is expected to delineate tasks and purposes for the orbital station within the context of global trends in low Earth orbit development and Russia’s current geopolitical and socio-economic landscape. It also aims to determine an optimal business model for the station, identify potential partners, and explore funding sources. Part of the work involves creating a catalog of possible services the station could offer, along with the materials needed to support those services. This approach aims to provide a practical, action-oriented blueprint that could guide subsequent development phases, including partnerships, procurement strategies, and risk management frameworks.
Vladimir Kozhevnikov, a former Chief Designer associated with ROS, has proposed that a Russian orbital station could be equipped with a protective shielding layer to withstand meteoroid impacts. This notion of layered armor would be designed to significantly enhance the station’s resilience in the harsh space environment, reducing risks to crew and critical systems. The idea underscores the emphasis on durability and safety as central design priorities for a future orbital platform, reflecting lessons learned from prior space infrastructure and the demanding realities of operating in low Earth orbit.
In a notable development from July 2022, Yury Borisov, the head of Roscosmos, announced in a meeting with the president that Russia had decided to withdraw from participation in the International Space Station project and to pursue the creation of a national orbital station. Following that decision, Roscosmos began to publish an initial draft outlining how such a domestic station might be conceived, including the strategic rationale, design considerations, and potential pathways for moving from concept to construction. This shift signals a decisive pivot toward self-reliance in orbital capabilities while still balancing international collaboration where possible and appropriate. The public release of draft concepts marked a foundational step in outlining the country’s intent, goals, and anticipated milestones in the evolution of its space infrastructure.