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Mr Putin and Mr Medvedev discussed the creation of a new corporation Roskosmos, which will exercise both administrative and business functions. Such a corporation will allow tackling complex multidimensional tasks the space industry is facing.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Medvedev, Deputy Prime Minister Mr Rogozin reported to me yesterday on the situation at the Vostochny Space Launch Centre and how the construction is progressing. Everything is moving forward, thankfully, although there are still many unresolved issues, but nevertheless, everything is moving forward.

We have discussed issues pertaining to the proper organisation of the entire rocket and space sector. There were various suggestions and I know the Cabinet has worked on it. What is the current status?

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev: Indeed, some time ago, we prepared suggestions on creating a whole range of new structures in addition to Roscosmos, including the United Rocket and Space Corporation as a joint stock company. It is working, but its operating experience shows that the problems in the industry are more serious, more complex, and it is imperative to focus the efforts of the government and business somewhat differently – the way it was done before in the nuclear sector.

So what the Cabinet is suggesting to the President is to create a new Roscosmos corporation. And of course, we are not talking about strengthening the role of government once again; in this case, we are suggesting streamlining the management system. A management system like the one at Rosatom has proven its efficiency with regard to fulfilling the most important government tasks.

We hope that if the President supports this suggestion and a corresponding draft law is prepared, then having a corporation that will exercise management functions on the one hand and business functions on the other will allow us to solve the highly complex, multifaceted challenges faced by the space industry.

That is the essence of the suggestion. It can also be divided into a whole set of stages, because at first, this corporation would be created while keeping the Federal Space Agency as an administrative governing body under the Cabinet. And later, all management functions will be transferred to the corporation, if you support this approach. Then we will make a whole set of management and personnel decisions at the government level in order to accelerate this process.

Vladimir Putin: What ideas do you have with regard to staff?

Dmitry Medvedev: We have the following ideas. Currently, we have two main structures operating. One is the management organisation, Roscosmos, while the second is our United Rocket and Space Corporation, which operates as a joint stock company.

Our idea is to appoint the United Rocket and Space Corporation’s CEO the head of the new Roscosmos.

Vladimir Putin: Mr Komarov?

Dmitry Medvedev: Yes, Mr Komarov. And, respectively, relieve Oleg Ostapenko of this position. But given his level of experience, we could entrust him with some other work within the space sector, for example, heading the Board of Directors of one of the holding companies that would make up Roscosmos.

Vladimir Putin: I think this is a good suggestion, the right idea, because it’s not just a separate entity, and not even an individual direction for research or specialised practical activities. The rocket and space sector integrates an enormous number of directions in science and industry. These are large production teams with diverse objectives, including in defence and commercial space exploration. So in this case, I suppose, we would be justified in applying the same instruments as in the nuclear industry. But, of course, we need a draft law.

Dmitry Medvedev: We will prepare it and certainly submit it to the President. And if this plan is approved, then I will make management decisions with regard to Roscosmos.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

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