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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Borisov, today, on April 12, our conversation certainly must begin with greetings to you and to everyone working in the space industry, and even beyond that: to everyone who is in any way involved in this sphere. Happy Cosmonautics Day. I would like to wish your large team success in space exploration.

We always say that this work is extremely important for Russia, for all mankind. These are not just things related to science fiction, but what we need today: right now, it is needed for the national economy, for strengthening and improving the country’s defence system. There are many components that are absolutely in demand today for the development of Russia.

Congratulations again. I wish you all the best.

Of course, holiday aside, we have a meeting today, so we should discuss the industry’s current state and the development prospects for the coming years.

This year, I think, we even have a little more budgetary funding planned for space activities: last year, it was somewhere around 224 billion rubles, and this year, it is already more than 251. Revenue is growing.

And plans, of course; everyone is always interested in Russia’s plans for this exceptional industry.

Please, go ahead.

General Director of the Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities Yury Borisov: Mr President, allow me to sincerely congratulate you on this truly nationwide holiday on behalf of all employees of the rocket and space sector, our veterans and cosmonauts, in the first place.

Russia has forever written the names of its citizens, including brilliant scientists and designers Konstantin Tsiolkovsky and Sergei Korolyov and our cosmonauts Yury Gagarin and Alexei Leonov, in the global history of cosmonautics.

Indeed, all Russian citizens have a lot to feel proud of. However, we now have to accomplish a special task. In these complicated conditions, we should not lose our dignity, of which this country has always felt proud.

I am ready to tell you about the sector’s current financial standing, which remains stable, and we know where we should head. I would also like to share strategic plans for developing the multi-satellite constellation.

It is also high time to discuss creating a Russian orbital station in greater detail because, under the Government’s decision, the work of the International Space Station has been extended until 2028. However, time flies by fast, and we should avoid any interruptions in the manned space programme.

Vladimir Putin: The rough drawing should be ready this summer, right?

Yury Borisov: The rough drawing will be ready this summer. However, we already have a good idea of the station’s main parameters and appearance, as well as specific stages of its creation. I will report on this to you during today’s conversation.

Vladimir Putin: To the best of my knowledge, one of the Russian orbital station’s functions and goals will be to prepare for implementing our lunar plans.

Yury Borisov: You are absolutely right, Mr President. A new orbit and a new radiation situation will allow us to gain an insight into technologies needed to explore deep space and to implement the lunar programme, and to master them. This is one of the advantages of a new orbit and a new orbital configuration of the future Russian orbital station.

Vladimir Putin: Fine.

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