BUDGET OF SPACE PROGRAMS WILL BE SPARED SEQUESTERING IN 2009
Russian space industry is promised state support.
By and large, the meeting in Fili near Moscow sealed the fate of space industry of Russia grappling with the economic crisis. Space industry centers and enterprises appeal to the state for aid.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was shown how Angaras, boosters of the latest generation, were assembled. These boosters will enable Russia to launch military and dual purpose satellites from Plesetsk on its own territory rather than from Baikonur in Kazakhstan.
The 2009 budget the Finance Ministry amended for the Cabinet meeting today stipulated no cuts in space exploration expenditures, Putin said at the meeting in Fili.
According to the prime minister, the budget set aside 82 billion rubles for space programs. Enterprises experiencing financial difficulties beginning with the Khrunichev Center itself were promised assistance. Putin said he had already signed a directive to transact 8 billion rubles to the Khrunichev Center. (“Support of this here Center means support of the whole industry,” was how the premier put it.) Energomash was promised state guarantees to the amount of 3 billion rubles. Sixteen other enterprises were promised subsidies.
