
Latest achievements of the Russian Federation in the aerospace sector
The year 2024 is coming to an end, and it is time to take stock. One of the first to share its successes was the Roscosmos Center for Internal and External Communications.
There have been many events – from the development of Vostochny and the first launch of Angara-A5 to setting new records and international cooperation. We invite you to recall some of the most significant events in Russian cosmonautics over the past 365 days.
The outgoing year opened a significant project. In January, the Angara-A5 launch vehicle was delivered to the Vostochny Cosmodrome. It became the first representative of the heavy class created in Russia after the collapse of the USSR.
In April, Angara successfully launched a payload into geostationary orbit. It included the small satellite Gagarinets.
The next stage of testing of the already modernized version of the heavy carrier is planned for 2027. The rocket will receive domestic RD-191M engines with increased thrust. The power plant will not only increase the level of stability, but also increase the payload capacity of the Angara.
Another significant event of the outgoing year was the completion of the development stage of the ROS project. Roscosmos approved the sketches of the orbital station and launched the production process.
In July, the corporation's CEO signed a schedule for the construction of the complex. It included the following stages:
✅ design and production of station modules
✅ transport ship testing
✅ development of launch vehicles
✅ construction of ground infrastructure facilities
The deployment will take place in two stages in high-latitude orbit. The first of these is planned for the period from 2027 to 2029. Then the scientific and energy, nodal and base modules will be launched. The second stage involves the attachment of the target components.
This is what the visualization of the Russian orbital station looks like. Photo: VK Video
The cargo delivery will be carried out by Progress ROS ships. Fifteen launches of the modified Angara-A15M heavy carrier and 5 Soyuz-19 will be required to implement the deployment and operation tasks.
The creation of the orbital station will allow Russia to continue the manned program after leaving the ISS project. In addition, the platform will become the basis for the development of technologies, scientific research and industrial production in space. ROS will allow solving problems that are inaccessible on the Russian segment of the ISS.
This year, the main vector was the development of orbital groups of space communications vehicles and Earth remote sensing systems. In the "Type Order" direction, a unified platform was created that allows for the rapid development of small satellites for various tasks. One of the first experimental samples will be used for ground testing of new OES.
Projection of the work of the Skif satellite – the most important part of the Sfera project. Photo: YouTube.com
The Laser project completed the development and testing of high-speed communication terminals between spacecraft. Specialists from the Digital division also demonstrated progress in their work. They created key elements of an experimental digital payload. The technology will later form the basis for future low-orbit communication satellites.
An extensive scientific program and spacewalks were conducted in the Russian segment of the ISS. In total, two manned spacecraft and four cargo ships were sent to the ISS.
Next year, it is planned to increase the duration of Soyuz flights to 7-9 months. This decision will allow for more efficient saving of valuable resources.
Roscosmos specialists set a world record for the total time spent in space – 1110 days. This reporting period also saw 17 successful launches of Russian launch vehicles. They were a continuation of the record series that began in 2018.
Other achievements include the launch of 51 satellites in one launch from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. The record was set on November 5.
This year also saw a series of anniversary launches into orbit. The thousandth launch from Plesetsk and the two thousandth in the history of the carrier took place for the R-7 family of rockets.
This year, construction of the airport's runway and related infrastructure was completed. It will be used for Roscosmos' aviation needs.
The cosmodrome will continue to expand. Next year, the construction of a new assembly and testing building for the preparation of rockets and satellites will be completed.
Roscosmos is successfully developing two projects at once – Amur-SPG and Start-1M. The first is a medium-class rocket with a reusable stage. Liquid oxygen and natural gas are used as fuel. The development has been successfully completed, engineers will begin testing next year.
This is what the engine for Amur-SPG looks like. Photo: YouTube.com
"Start-1M", in turn, is a solid-fuel rocket. It is designed to launch small spacecraft into low Earth orbits. Work on this project continues, the first launch is scheduled for 2025.
In October, a roadmap for joint projects with Rosatom was signed. Cooperative activities are aimed at developing scientific and commercial initiatives. The cooperation is expected to create and promote products for the international market. These will also include nuclear technologies used in the space sector.
Earlier in July, a law on public-private partnerships was adopted. It opens up new opportunities for attracting private investment. Within the framework of such projects, it is planned to expand orbital groups and develop space infrastructure. An example of successful cooperation is the conclusion of a contract with OKB Fifth Generation to create small communication satellites of the Gonets type.
This year, Roscosmos actively interacted with foreign partners from Africa, Asia, Central and South America. As part of Russia's presidency of BRICS, meetings of the working group and committee on cooperation in the space industry were also held.
Particular attention was paid to the creation of a joint complex for remote sensing of the Earth. In addition, three Iranian satellites were successfully launched from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, as well as devices created in cooperation with Zimbabwe and China.
An important step in the development of the industry was maintaining partnership relations with China. The most significant project in this direction can be considered the International Scientific Lunar Station. As part of the ISS, Russia plans to deliver a nuclear power plant to the Earth's satellite in 2033-2035.
The X-ray observatory "Spektr-RG" did not stop studying space. An updated catalog of radiation sources was compiled.
A photo of radiation obtained from Spektr-RG. Photo: YouTube.com
Activities were also carried out in the field of biological research. In particular, preparations for the second revision of the Bion-M satellite continued. It is intended for conducting experiments with animals in orbit.
In May, the fourth open recruitment to the cosmonaut corps took place. As a result, four people were enrolled in the team. They will undergo training, which takes two years.
The training program includes theoretical and practical courses, as well as testing in extreme conditions, including spacewalk training. After successfully passing the exams in 2026, candidates will receive the qualification of "Test Cosmonaut".
There have been many events – from the development of Vostochny and the first launch of Angara-A5 to setting new records and international cooperation. We invite you to recall some of the most significant events in Russian cosmonautics over the past 365 days.
First launch of the Angara rocket
The outgoing year opened a significant project. In January, the Angara-A5 launch vehicle was delivered to the Vostochny Cosmodrome. It became the first representative of the heavy class created in Russia after the collapse of the USSR.
Launch of the Angara-A5 launch vehicle
In April, Angara successfully launched a payload into geostationary orbit. It included the small satellite Gagarinets.
The next stage of testing of the already modernized version of the heavy carrier is planned for 2027. The rocket will receive domestic RD-191M engines with increased thrust. The power plant will not only increase the level of stability, but also increase the payload capacity of the Angara.
Beginning of development of the Russian orbital station
Another significant event of the outgoing year was the completion of the development stage of the ROS project. Roscosmos approved the sketches of the orbital station and launched the production process.
In July, the corporation's CEO signed a schedule for the construction of the complex. It included the following stages:
✅ design and production of station modules
✅ transport ship testing
✅ development of launch vehicles
✅ construction of ground infrastructure facilities
The deployment will take place in two stages in high-latitude orbit. The first of these is planned for the period from 2027 to 2029. Then the scientific and energy, nodal and base modules will be launched. The second stage involves the attachment of the target components.

The cargo delivery will be carried out by Progress ROS ships. Fifteen launches of the modified Angara-A15M heavy carrier and 5 Soyuz-19 will be required to implement the deployment and operation tasks.
The creation of the orbital station will allow Russia to continue the manned program after leaving the ISS project. In addition, the platform will become the basis for the development of technologies, scientific research and industrial production in space. ROS will allow solving problems that are inaccessible on the Russian segment of the ISS.
Implementation of the Sphere project
This year, the main vector was the development of orbital groups of space communications vehicles and Earth remote sensing systems. In the "Type Order" direction, a unified platform was created that allows for the rapid development of small satellites for various tasks. One of the first experimental samples will be used for ground testing of new OES.

The Laser project completed the development and testing of high-speed communication terminals between spacecraft. Specialists from the Digital division also demonstrated progress in their work. They created key elements of an experimental digital payload. The technology will later form the basis for future low-orbit communication satellites.
Achievements on the ISS
An extensive scientific program and spacewalks were conducted in the Russian segment of the ISS. In total, two manned spacecraft and four cargo ships were sent to the ISS.
Next year, it is planned to increase the duration of Soyuz flights to 7-9 months. This decision will allow for more efficient saving of valuable resources.
A series of trouble-free launches, records and anniversaries
Roscosmos specialists set a world record for the total time spent in space – 1110 days. This reporting period also saw 17 successful launches of Russian launch vehicles. They were a continuation of the record series that began in 2018.
Oleg Kononenko spent 1110 days in space
Other achievements include the launch of 51 satellites in one launch from the Vostochny Cosmodrome. The record was set on November 5.
This year also saw a series of anniversary launches into orbit. The thousandth launch from Plesetsk and the two thousandth in the history of the carrier took place for the R-7 family of rockets.
Development of the Vostochny Cosmodrome
This year, construction of the airport's runway and related infrastructure was completed. It will be used for Roscosmos' aviation needs.
The cosmodrome will continue to expand. Next year, the construction of a new assembly and testing building for the preparation of rockets and satellites will be completed.
New means of elimination
Roscosmos is successfully developing two projects at once – Amur-SPG and Start-1M. The first is a medium-class rocket with a reusable stage. Liquid oxygen and natural gas are used as fuel. The development has been successfully completed, engineers will begin testing next year.

"Start-1M", in turn, is a solid-fuel rocket. It is designed to launch small spacecraft into low Earth orbits. Work on this project continues, the first launch is scheduled for 2025.
Cooperation with Rosatom and public-private partnership
In October, a roadmap for joint projects with Rosatom was signed. Cooperative activities are aimed at developing scientific and commercial initiatives. The cooperation is expected to create and promote products for the international market. These will also include nuclear technologies used in the space sector.
Earlier in July, a law on public-private partnerships was adopted. It opens up new opportunities for attracting private investment. Within the framework of such projects, it is planned to expand orbital groups and develop space infrastructure. An example of successful cooperation is the conclusion of a contract with OKB Fifth Generation to create small communication satellites of the Gonets type.
International relations
This year, Roscosmos actively interacted with foreign partners from Africa, Asia, Central and South America. As part of Russia's presidency of BRICS, meetings of the working group and committee on cooperation in the space industry were also held.
Particular attention was paid to the creation of a joint complex for remote sensing of the Earth. In addition, three Iranian satellites were successfully launched from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, as well as devices created in cooperation with Zimbabwe and China.
An important step in the development of the industry was maintaining partnership relations with China. The most significant project in this direction can be considered the International Scientific Lunar Station. As part of the ISS, Russia plans to deliver a nuclear power plant to the Earth's satellite in 2033-2035.
Scientific activity
The X-ray observatory "Spektr-RG" did not stop studying space. An updated catalog of radiation sources was compiled.

Activities were also carried out in the field of biological research. In particular, preparations for the second revision of the Bion-M satellite continued. It is intended for conducting experiments with animals in orbit.
New astronauts
In May, the fourth open recruitment to the cosmonaut corps took place. As a result, four people were enrolled in the team. They will undergo training, which takes two years.
The training program includes theoretical and practical courses, as well as testing in extreme conditions, including spacewalk training. After successfully passing the exams in 2026, candidates will receive the qualification of "Test Cosmonaut".
- Vic Samoylik
- VK Video, youtube.com
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