Russian First Deputy PM Manturov announces plans to cover whole of Russia with satellite communications by 2030

MOSCOW. June 6 (Interfax) - A buildup of Russia's satellite constellation will make it possible to cover the whole of the country's territory, including the Arctic, with stable communication channels by 2030, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov said.

"We'll continue to increase the number of communication devices on near-earth, geostationary, and highly elliptical orbits. In doing so, we expect to cover the whole of the country's territory, including the Arctic, with stable communication channels by 2030," Manturov said at a meeting of the Council on Strategic Development and National Projects on Friday.

To attain this goal, private businesses must be involved in manufacturing spacecraft, he said.

"We'll give special consideration to the development of the Glonass system. Firstly, we should maintain the planned composition of satellites, which is 24 spacecraft. Secondly, we aim to triple their positioning accuracy, which is essential, among other things, for developing the market of drones, as well as for ensuring that navigation is resistant to electronic countermeasures," Manturov said.

Simultaneously with working on the International Space Station, Russia is supposed to accomplish a smooth transition to a Russian space station by 2030, he said.

"It will be the world's first drone platform equipped with robots for servicing itself. It's the Russian Federation's patented solution. The testing and approval of this technology would enable us to employ this format for our lunar program," he said.

"We've had everything cleared and propose endorsing the national project and begin its implementation today," Manturov said.

Dmitry Bakanov, CEO of Russia's Roscosmos state space corporation, said at a strategic session that the certificate of the national space project has been "fully drafted."

"As concerns the orbiting constellation, rockets, and cosmodromes, jointly with the Defense Ministry as a co-contractor, no questions are left for us," Bakanov said.