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The Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Centre is a leading Russian space company known for the development of the unique Proton heavy launch vehicle, the Mir space station, and parts of the International Space Station.

President Putin inspected some of the centre’s products. In particular, Briz-M and Briz-KM boosters for Proton and Angara rockets. He was also shown the Rokot and Angara rockets. The centre’s director-general, Alexander Medvedev, told President Putin that the Rokot had good commercial potential and that five commercial launch contracts had been signed, with three scheduled for this year.

President Putin viewed a scientific satellite called Ekspress and the unified Yakhta space platform and listened to a description of an advanced space communication system built around Dialog mini-satellites.

The President expressed his belief that Russia’s space industry should receive special attention. He said that without it Russia would be unable not only to keep its positions in the world and claim one of the leading places in civilisation, but also to maintain its defence capability to the extent needed by the country.