Ensuring Russia’s defensibility remains the main incentive to develop the space sector but this sector cannot fully develop if economic factors are not taken into account, Vladimir Putin declared as he summarised the results of the Kaluga State Council Presidium session on increasing the effectiveness of space activities in Russia.
The head of state pointed out that the global market for space services is expanding and added that without increasing the effectiveness of space activities it will not be possible to diversify the Russian economy and give it an innovative character.
In the past space exploration may have been a matter of national prestige, pride and competition between great powers, but today the space sector must help improve the country’s competitivity. Economic agents need to understand the availability, effectiveness and uses of space services.
Along with this, the President noted that a proper market for Russian space services is lacking. Vladimir Putin stated that the absence of sensible and meaningful government proposals on this issue is the main reason for the present situation. A number of issues have not yet been addressed in detail: there is no clear list of space services, information available for consumers, nor market research underway.
Following the State Council Presidium session a number of presidential decrees will be prepared for the relevant authorities.