Russian space station to help create new satellite control structure - general designer

MOSCOW. Jan 22 (Interfax) - The new Russian space station will help create a new satellite control structure and develop technologies for deep space missions, Energia Rocket and Space Corporation Deputy General Designer, Russian Space Station General Designer Vladimir Kozhevnikov said.

"The Russian space station allows for creating a new satellite control structure. The station will interact with them through a unified smart system. The more satellites are included in the structure the better. The structure will significantly enhance satellites' capabilities," Kozhevnikov said in an interview with the Izvestia newspaper on Monday.

"The new approach will be a real breakthrough and will enable the domestic space industry to reach a new technological level," he said.

"It is not planned to use the Russian space station as a transit base" for deep space missions, yet "the station will develop technologies and equipment for flights, including those to the Moon and Mars," Kozhevnikov said.

"Estimates show that for now it would be cheaper to send spacecraft [on deep space missions] directly. However, the station could serve as a testing range for deep space mission equipment and technologies. The reason is that its flight trajectory goes through radiation belts near the Earth's north and south poles, where conditions are similar to those in deep space," he said.

The preliminary design of the Russian space station "has been examined by leading research centers of Roscosmos and has been submitted for approval by the state corporation," Kozhevnikov said.

"We are expecting it to be approved in early February," he said.