C7 space transport systems. Sergey Sopov: the company “S7 Space Transport Systems” is ready to take over the Russian segment of the ISS as a concession

CEO of Russia's first private space company S7 Space Sergei Sopov explains why they need their own plant rocket engines and why do they want to rent the ISS?

Sergey Sopov, CEO of S7 Space /Maxim Stulov / Vedomosti

The CEO of S7 Space tells how Russia's first private space company was created, why it needs its own rocket engine plant, and why S7 Space wants to rent the ISS

In March, the S7 Group holding closed a deal to purchase the Sea Launch floating cosmodrome in California. The company announced its plans a year and a half earlier. At the press conference that took place then, journalists persistently asked the co-owner of the holding, Vladislav Filev, whether the project had risks that Ukraine would refuse to supply even a private Russian company with missiles “ Zenith" It turned out that the risks were on the other side: S7 Space had already received permission from the USA and Ukraine, and the order Russian government It has been waiting for many months for the supply of domestic components.

The issue has been suspended due to a change of government and will still be resolved, hopes S7 Space CEO Sergei Sopov. The company has already ordered 12 Zenit missiles and is ready to begin reactivating Sea Launch at any time. This will be only the first stage of far-reaching plans for the space business. S7 Space is also going to conduct ground launches, wants to build its own rocket engine plant to create a reusable modification of the promising Russian Soyuz-5 rocket, and proposes to the government after 2024 not to flood the Russian segment of the ISS, to rent it and create an orbital spaceport there.

The last barrier

– The deal is closed, now your company enters into new stage– preparations for the first sea launch?

- Almost like that. Except for one important problem, namely the lack of a launch vehicle needed to resume commercial launches. When we made the decision to purchase the assets of the Sea Launch project, the sellers were the state corporation Roscosmos and the rocket and space corporation Energia (part of Roscosmos, owns the Swiss company Sea Launch, which owned Sea Launch. - “ Vedomosti) assured us that before the creation of the Russian medium-class carrier Soyuz-5, we will be able to use the Zenit-3SL rocket for launches, which is being created in cooperation with Ukrainian enterprises. Now the complex can only be used by Zenit, which means this is a politicized issue.

First launch

In December 2017, S7 Space, in cooperation with RSC Energia and TsENKI, carried out its first launch: the Zenit launch vehicle launched an Angosat communications satellite into orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The contract with the Angolan government for the production and launch of the satellite was concluded by RSC Energia in the early 2010s; after 2014, due to the breakdown of Russian-Ukrainian relations, Energia could not launch the satellite on its own, since Ukraine does not cooperate with Russian state companies. The launch was successful, but the satellite never made contact due to manufacturing defects. Russia will manufacture and launch another one for Angola.

Roscosmos guarantees were our key condition for entering the project. We signed a cooperation agreement with the state corporation to resume the launch activities of the Sea Launch project. The State Department and five different US ministries gave permission to the Russian company to own and operate the launch complex. We had to reissue, and in some areas this process continues, a total of 40 licenses. At the same time, we gave guarantees to the American government that the project will be revived in the configuration in which it was fixed by the intergovernmental agreement between the United States and Russia. We also convinced the Ukrainian government to sell Zenit missiles to our American subsidiary S7 Sea Launch. But everything stopped when we needed previously guaranteed permission from the Russian government to supply components (they are produced by Roscosmos enterprises - Vedomosti) necessary for the production of Zenits.

– Is it a reluctance to fulfill agreements or bureaucracy?

– The draft of the corresponding government order was prepared by Roscosmos and agreed upon on the 20th of April. All that remained was to sign it. But the cabinet of ministers resigned after the presidential elections, and at the moment the approval of the documents is suspended. A new government has been formed and needs to get up to speed; Accordingly, there is no progress yet.

– That is, the usual Russian bureaucracy. But since the project was supported by both Roscosmos and the government, the issue should be resolved over time.

- I really hope for it. In the end, we have completed our part of the journey, having spent significant funds, now it’s up to the government and Roscosmos. Another important point is how this order will ultimately be formulated. The previously prepared draft order suited us: it provided for the export of Russian engines, combustion chambers, control systems and other components to the American S7 Sea Launch with the possibility of re-export to Ukraine for the assembly of stages of Zenit launch vehicles. But during the discussion, we also heard the following opinion: let Ukraine simply supply tanks to the United States, and you yourself, in California, assemble a rocket from Russian and Ukrainian components.

– What does “collect in California” mean? Where to collect?

- That's what we're talking about. Build a factory and collect! Okay, let's imagine that we overcame all the difficulties and built production in the USA. This, at a minimum, will require the signing of a new intergovernmental agreement between Russia and the United States, will require a new distribution of responsibilities of the parties, not to mention taking into account the opinion of Ukraine. Obviously, the process would drag on for many years, which would threaten us with multimillion-dollar losses. And the Sea Launch launch complex itself will not last forever.

CJSC "S7 Group of Companies"

Aerospace holding Owners (company data): Natalia and Vladislav Filev.
Financial indicators (total according to RAS of Siberia and Globus airlines and the parent company of the holding, 2016):
revenue – 138 billion rubles,
net profit – 6.5 billion rubles.
Consolidated indicators are not disclosed (only Sibir disclosed indicators for 2017: revenue - 117.7 billion rubles (+9%), net profit - 4.3 billion rubles (+53%).
In 2017, the group’s airlines transported 14.3 million people (the second highest figure in Russia). In 2016, S7 Space Transport Systems LLC, part of the holding, received a license from Roscosmos for space activities.

We are now trying to restore the project in the configuration established by the intergovernmental agreement between Russia and the United States of 1996. It is in force, the assembled rocket stages (first and second) are supplied from Ukraine, the upper stage is from Russia. Within the framework of the project, we do not have access to American technologies, they are ours. It has all worked this way for almost two decades, and any change is contrary to the intergovernmental agreement.

– Space in the previous government was supervised by Dmitry Rogozin. Now he has been appointed general director of Roscosmos, the topic will become closer to him. Can he speed up the process?

– Indeed, our interests in the government are represented by Roscosmos. We are private company and we do not have the right to introduce draft government orders. We can only continue to hope that our partners at Roscosmos will fulfill their obligations given before the sale of the complex.

– To carry out the first launch from Sea Launch, as planned - in December 2019, when do you need to receive the first Zenit?

- Until the end of this year. We are still meeting the allotted deadlines. When we received the go-ahead from Ukraine last spring, we immediately signed a contract with the Ukrainian Yuzhmash for 12 sets of Zenit launch vehicle stages. Their production has already been financed for $24 million. There are three almost finished Zenit kits at the plant; they lie without Russian engines and control systems.

Compete with Elon Musk

– How much will it cost to prepare the complex for launch?

– Restoring the complex and bringing it out of mothballing costs approximately $30 million. But we are waiting for the issue with the launch vehicle to be resolved. What's the point of spending any more money? To date, we have already invested about $160 million in the purchase of Sea Launch and the production of rockets.

– What work needs to be done to restore the complex?

– The command ship and platform have been partially mothballed since 2014, partially de-energized. The vessel needs major renovation in dry dock. Annual maintenance is required technological equipment, identify comments and eliminate them. This takes just one and a half years.

– How many employees does S7 Space currently have?

– How will the staff grow when the launch is being prepared?

Sergey Sopov

CEO of S7 Space

Born in 1957. Graduated from the Perm Higher Command Engineering School with a degree in automated systems management and control." He served at the Baikonur Cosmodrome, participated in ground tests of the Almaz rocket and space complex and the Soviet reusable spacecraft Buran.

Led the first launch of the reusable space system "Energia-Buran"

At the invitation of the President of Kazakhstan, he created the Space Research Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan, led projects for the disposal and conversion of SS18 missiles located on the territory of Kazakhstan

By decree of the President of Kazakhstan, he was appointed general director of the state aerospace joint-stock company Koscom, and organized the transfer of the Baikonur Cosmodrome to Russia. He held the position until 1995.

General Director, then Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Perm Motor Plant (now UEC - Perm Motors)

President, then CEO of Avialeasing company

Appointed General Director of S7 Space Transport Systems LLC (S7 Space)

– Up to 270 people can work at the same time at the marine complex. This is determined by the technology and the number of cabins on the two ships. During the launch campaign, people live there for weeks. From the personnel point of view, the command ship is an ordinary motor ship, but at the same time it is also an installation and testing building. Inside it, final assembly and testing of the rocket takes place: docking of stages, docking of the upper stage, fairing and the payload itself, necessary tests. In addition, pre-launch preparation and launch are controlled from the command vessel. The work is being carried out by an international team: specialists from the Russian RSC Energia and TsENKI (Center for Operation of Ground-Based Space Infrastructure Facilities, manages the Baikonur and Vostochny cosmodromes, part of Roscosmos. - Vedomosti), Ukrainian Yuzhmash and Yuzhnoye Design Bureau will be involved. , American corporation Boeing.

– How much will it cost the customer to launch his spacecraft from Sea Launch?

– From $62 million to $72 million.

– How much do Elon Musk’s SpaceX services cost?

– For commercial customers it’s the same. For US government customers, SpaceX launches are more expensive – more than $90 million.

– In order to win clients away from such a successful and globally promoted company, shouldn’t we offer a lower price?

– This is a question of price conditions on the market and, more importantly, the ability to ensure the launch in an acceptable time frame, and not wait for the launch for years, like Musk (due to a long queue of clients. – Vedomosti). The technical capabilities of Sea Launch are limited to six launches per year. We plan to hold four. According to our calculations, this is enough to bring the complex to self-sufficiency. But for now we cannot seriously negotiate with potential customers. Who will come to you if you don’t have missiles? And this is the main problem of the Sea Launch project. The market is very narrow: everyone knows each other; they know how everyone is doing. Sea Launch itself, its technical characteristics and energy capabilities are known to potential customers.

– That is, you will still compete with SpaceX. It’s not for nothing that Filev is called the “Russian Musk.”

– SpaceX has 60 launches in its manifesto. We have none yet and still no missiles. How can we compete?

- But in the future.

– Let me note once again that Sea Launch has a limited technical capabilities – six launches per year. Complex logistics: from the base port to the launch point on the equator near Christmas Island - 5200 miles, the same as from Moscow to Vladivostok. Our ship takes 11 days to get there from Los Angeles, the launch platform takes 15. Although you can strain yourself and make seven launches a year.

But there is a solution to increase the number of launches. For this, we must have a “Ground Launch” (a project to launch Zenit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome - Vedomosti), then the situation will change dramatically. It turns out that there is one rocket, but its market segments are different. For example, Zenit from Baikonur can launch 3.8 tons into the main commercial geostationary transfer orbit, and from Sea Launch, due to the optimal position of the launch point on the equator, up to 6.2 tons. Plus the ability to launch to low (up to 16 t) and medium orbits with a wide range of orbital inclinations. What a choice for the customer! In this case, it will be possible to talk about some kind of competition with the leading participants in the launch services market.

The first private owner in space

– “S7 Space Transport Systems” (S7 Space) received a license from Roscosmos for space activities in 2016, and in December 2017 you successfully launched the Angolan satellite Angosat into orbit from Baikonur. How was the first private space company in Russia created? As the CEO, you were its first employee, how and where did you recruit the team?

– Personally, I hired my direct subordinates, deputies and the head of the cosmodrome - less than 10 people in total. People whom I personally know and in whose professional qualities sure. These are well-known experts in the industry. Some used to work at Baikonur, others worked at the Sea Launch complex. And the people I had already hired formed their own units.

I have known Sergei Solovyov, my first deputy, since 1984, when he and I lived in the same building at Baikonur. I myself am from the space industry, I took a direct part in the launch of the Energia rocket with the Buran spacecraft. Soloviev, for example, recruited people from Roscosmos enterprises where he had previously worked. At the top level we take people with experience, they are 60–65 years old, and at the entry level we take young people, graduates. And these young people will become leaders in 3-5 years, as our generation retires to a quieter job.

– Do people willingly go to S7 Space? For Russia, this is still an exotic project.

– We have a big competition, a lot of people want to join us. After all, this is an opportunity to participate in such a unique project, to work in the USA and around the world. For comparison, let's take Baikonur. Have you been to Baikonur? You need to visit once for all questions to disappear. I lived there for 15 years - steppe, cold in winter, unbearable heat in summer, no greenery. You won't lure young people there. These are two big differences - working at Baikonur or at Sea Launch in Los Angeles. And of course, we are more flexible in matters of salaries. We are a private company and understand that we need the best specialists, who must be paid accordingly.

– You are a well-known person in the space industry. Can you tell us how you met Filev, not at a secret missile base?

– We’ve known each other for about 25 years, my leasing company supplied aircraft to his Sibir airline. Having made a decision on the Sea Launch project, Vladislav Feliksovich invited me to lead it.

– Who initiated the sale of Sea Launch to the S7 group?

– RSC Energia was looking for an investor for a long time, for them the project was unprofitable. And as a state-owned enterprise, Energia was unable to revive it: after 2014, it was practically unable to directly interact with Ukraine. There was only one thing left to do - sell. They were looking for buyers, considering different options, including with a Russian investor. An offer was made to Filev. He decided that he was interested.

– Are you planning further ground launches from Baikonur?

– Yes, we proposed to Kazakhstan to conduct 2-4 launches from the 45th site at Baikonur, from which Angosat was launched in December 2017. This is a Zenit complex built in the 1980s. Today it is returned to Kazakhstan from under Russian lease. If we resolve the issue with Russian components by the end of summer, then two Zenit missiles will be ready in January 2019. Ground launches would allow our company to carry out commercial activities in parallel with the restoration of Sea Launch’s functionality.

– Did Kazakhstan agree?

– Consultations are currently underway. Kazakhstan has problems with the formation of its own launch crews - teams of specialists involved in the preparation and conduct of launches. We suggest they create joint teams, then their employees could work at Sea Launch.

– You headed for several years space industry Kazakhstan. Is that experience applicable now?

- Well, that's a big word. Let’s just say that in the 1990s I actively participated in the creation of “Kazakhstan Space”. Any experience is applicable, nothing disappears without a trace. But this is a different time, age, completely different tasks.

Reusable rocket

– Your recent criticism of the Soyuz-5 medium-class rocket being developed by Energia – that it is simply a “fat and heavier Zenit” – caused a lot of noise. Soyuz-5 should in the future replace Zenit at Sea Launch. What if in the end you are not satisfied with this medium?

– We don’t need a repeat of Zenit, which was created 40 years ago. It doesn't matter whether he is good or bad. Simply repeating what has been done is the road to reverse side, not even marking time. We would like to have a promising modern remedy derivation, which is based on principles that are understandable to business. And they look like this: a completely reusable space transport system (at the first stage - partially reusable). Some believe that a cheap rocket will be effective in a disposable version - nothing like that. A disposable carrier is like a disposable aircraft. Musk showed everyone a new approach to rocket science: reusability. An effective rocket of the future must be serviceable and have an element lifespan of 50–100 launches.

- Wow! Is it still possible to make the Soyuz-5 project reusable?

– To discuss this possibility, RSC Energia and I created working group, at the meetings of which we are now determining the possible appearance of the new generation rocket, which we will use instead of Zenit in 5-6 years. We need a modern medium; we cannot afford to invest in a yesterday's project. It must also be economically attractive!

RSC Energia is fulfilling the order formulated by the state: its Soyuz-5 should be launched into orbit by the promising Federation spacecraft, and the first stage unit should become the launch accelerator of a promising super-heavy rocket. Therefore, RSC Energia simply did not care about the issues of price efficiency when designing Soyuz-5. And we are worried. Very.

Today, taking into account our position, the requirements have been clarified. We discussed them for a long time with the General Director of RSC Energia, Vladimir Solntsev, and decided that within the framework of the Soyuz-5 project, two directions are being defined that combine both approaches - state and commercial. The first direction is a launch vehicle for state interests. We conditionally called the second “Soyuz-5SL” (Sea Launch): it involves, first of all, the creation of a reusable first stage, weight reduction, and the use of other engines. All changes are aimed at reducing costs and increasing competitive advantages.

For Musk, the 30-ton first stage of the Falcon 9 returns by firing the engines multiple times (up to five times) and lands on the jet stream of the central engine out of nine available. The first stage of Soyuz-5 is supposed to use a four-chamber RD-171 engine with a total thrust (at the ground) of more than 740 tons - it is impossible to land a stage on it using the Mask method! The engine should be different: “simple” - not energy-intensive and therefore relatively cheap and allowing repeated starting. It turns out that for this the S7 Space must have its own engine.

– Where will you get your engine from?

“We would like to buy from the state the world-famous NK-33 and NK-43 engines, previously produced by the Samara Kuznetsov plant, as well as documentation, equipment, and technical backlog. In general, everything that has been preserved on this topic from the Soviet program. We intend to restore production and build our own rocket engine plant in Samara. Now NK-33 is used on the Soyuz-2.1v rocket. Naturally, the engines will undergo modernization, because they were created 40–50 years ago. Plus, we need the reusability of the engine, including, possibly, turning it on multiple times in one flight.

– How much will the rocket engine plant cost?

– We estimate the project at approximately $300 million. This includes the production of not only NK-33 and NK-43, but also the control system, which we would also like to make ourselves.

– How long does it take to create such an enterprise?

– 5–6 years.

– That is, by the time Soyuz-5 appears, you will not have your own engine (the first test launch is planned for 2022)?

– Now there are approximately 36 ready-made NK-33 and NK-43 engines. This allows us to begin the flight test program of the new Soyuz-5SL rocket without waiting for the launch of serial production of the modernized NK-33 and NK-43. We are more flexible and make decisions faster. And everything will cost us several times cheaper than if the project were handled state company.

– These investments will need to be made even before Sea Launch receives revenue. What is the source of funds?

– We do not disclose the source of funding. We have a budget for this project that completely satisfies us. But, of course, before deploying this entire program, we first need to restore launches from Sea Launch.

– How does the government view your plant project?

– Our proposal is being discussed in the government. We are also negotiating with the United Engine Corporation (UEC, part of Rostec, owns the Kuznetsov plant. - Vedomosti).

– You said that the cost of a launch vehicle is exactly the same characteristic as energy capabilities. And that Soyuz-5 is too expensive. Will RSC Energia be able to reduce the price?

– Roscosmos previously officially announced that the cost of Soyuz-5 had been reduced from $55 million to $35 million. They met us halfway, offered to state our demands, as I said, we created a joint working group with RSC Energia.

– Is it possible to almost halve the price of a rocket so simply? Does this mean that the first price was extortionately inflated?

– These are still declarations, of course. It’s difficult for me to say on what these calculations are based, but the only positive and important thing is that Roscosmos met us halfway and announced a price reduction.

– In 2017, Filev at the Roscosmos conference spoke about his readiness to order 50 rockets with an option for another 35. Is this already talking about Soyuz-5?

– Then we were talking about a medium that would suit us. Back then, no one had discussed with us what we needed.

In aviation, for the production of a new aircraft, a launch customer is needed; he enters into a firm contract, pays 10% of the cost, and the manufacturer begins mass production. We wanted to go the same way - to order a batch of Russian rockets, that is, to become a de facto customer for Roscosmos. But we can’t agree yet.

– I don’t have design documents, but it is planned that Soyuz-5 will be able to launch 17 tons of payload from Baikonur into low orbit versus 15 tons for Zenit. These energy capabilities are needed to launch the Federation manned spacecraft, which is being developed by RSC Energia, into low-Earth orbit.

– Is this rocket for one project?

– This is its central task. But what to do next? At one time, the Soviet launch vehicle Energia was created; its energy capabilities made it possible to launch 100 tons into a low (unclosed) orbit! She launched the Buran spacecraft. We can applaud this achievement of our country. But are we capable, as a whole country, no, even as a whole world, of creating loads for tasks that would require regularly, several times a year, launching 100 tons into orbit? So in the situation with Soyuz-5, we still need to find a use for it, besides Federation launches.

ISS and deep space

– Filev’s presentation at the Roscosmos conference said that S7 Space wants to rent the Russian segment of the ISS and create an orbital spaceport on it. Tell us about this idea.

– It is quite logical if you think and plan your business for decades in advance. If you have an expensive transport system - a cosmodrome and a launch vehicle, you need to provide it with orders. Or you need to look for one-time commercial loads every day. Or enter the big government programs, which is not easy even in your own country. Or create a large flow of cargo into space yourself. This is exactly how Musk plans to act, loading his Falcon 9 rocket with the deployment and maintenance of the “space Internet” satellite system he is creating, Starlink, which in maximum plans should have more than 10,000 devices! Thus, it itself creates a cargo flow for its carrier: if you launch 10 satellites at a time, that’s more than 1000 launches. Here reusability becomes not a whim or a game of the mind, but a necessity.

We want to follow a similar path, but by shaping the flow of cargo into deep space. To do this, in addition to a reusable rocket (the Earth - Near Space vehicle), we will need the second part of the transport system: a reusable transport (cargo) ship. Whether it will be a cargo version of the Federation ship or a similar ship from Boeing does not matter now. The main thing is that in the end we will get a reusable launch vehicle and a cargo supply ship.

What's next? In 2024, according to existing agreements, the ISS will cease to exist as an interstate project. Without funding, the ISS has only one option - to be flooded. But to even replicate such a multifunctional, technically complex object in orbit weighing 480 tons, you need $100–150 billion and 10 years of hard work by a large number of enterprises. Today the ISS is the property of all humanity, it is a new wonder of the world, if you like. Let the Americans and their segment do what they want, but we would like to disconnect the Russian one and use it independently as an orbital spaceport that will supply and repair ships going into deep space. And we could deliver cargo to it with our reusable rockets and ships.

If we take the international agreement on the creation of the ISS, then, in principle, all the functions that we declare for the orbital spaceport are indicated there. Initially, the ISS was intended for this, only with an emphasis on science, experiments and fewer utilitarian commercial functions.

Take, for example, plans to create a space station in lunar orbit and a base on the Moon. How to build them, how to supply them? The cargo flow will be colossal. How much cargo will reach the Moon if it is launched, as now, from the Earth? With Soyuz-5SL, there are probably 800-900 kg of 16 tons that can be launched into low Earth orbit at a launch cost of $40 million. That’s efficiency! Can you imagine what the costs will be for transporting cargo to ensure the creation and operation of a lunar station and lunar base with a crew?! But this same task looks completely different if these 16 tons of cargo can be picked up from low Earth orbit and transported entirely to the Moon using reusable transport tugs.

– Have you at least signed a framework agreement on such a project with RSC Energia?

– It’s still premature. We outlined our development concept to the government and Roscosmos. It has four stages. Restoration of the launch activities of Sea Launch, continued operation of Land Launch, creation of our own reusable space transport system for near space, construction of an orbital spaceport with orbital tugs as key elements of a promising deep space transport system. This is a strategy for at least 20 years. There is no other way in space.

But for these grandiose plans to come true, we must first successfully implement the first stage - restore the functionality of Sea Launch. And here we need the support of the Russian government, which I spoke about earlier.

– Reusable space tugs with a nuclear power plant are the future, do such technologies not exist yet?

– We must understand that exploration (not visiting, but exploration) of even the Moon, not to mention planets or asteroids, cannot be carried out using chemical engines, which are now used to fly all the rockets that humanity has. They are powerful, relatively safe, but extremely ineffective; therefore, they can be used to launch large loads from Earth into low orbits, and then completely different technologies must be used.

We are confident that the winner in the struggle for deep space will not be the one with more money, and the one who will have in orbit a relatively compact, powerful (megawatts or more) and with a long service life (years) power plant. Today it is only nuclear energy. This energy is already used to operate electric rocket engines, which have mass efficiency an order of magnitude greater than chemical energy engines, and can operate continuously for weeks and months - that would be the energy. They can work for weeks, months and give a small increase in speed every second. Only such a transport system opens the way to deep space exploration.

– You have far-reaching, ambitious and large-scale plans, Musk speaks just as visionarily about space. Do bureaucratic delays already at the first stage discourage Filev as an investor?

– Our strategy: a reusable rocket, an orbital cosmodrome, nuclear tugs for breaking into deep space – all these are very beautiful projects both from the point of view of business and from the point of view of new technologies. He's passionate about them. Vladislav Feliksovich once said that money smells and he doesn’t care how to earn it.

General Director of the S7 Space Transport Systems company Sergey Sopov / Photo: Press service of the S7 group

The administration of US President Donald Trump has announced its intention to privatize its part of the International Space Station: after 2024, NASA funding for the ISS is planned to be stopped and the American segment of the station will be transferred to private hands. The idea of ​​commercial use of the ISS is also being considered in Russia. Sergei Sopov, General Director of the S7 Space Transport Systems company, spoke about plans to create an orbital cosmodrome and the desire to take the Russian segment of the ISS into concession in an interview with Izvestia.

- The launch of the Zenit rocket at the end of December was the first where you acted as an operator. What was the work of S7 specialists?

Our participation in the Angosat-1 spacecraft launch project was determined by the need to use the Zenit launch vehicle for this purpose. The same rocket is used at the Sea Launch cosmodrome. Our team includes specialists in conducting Zenit launches, so we were offered to take on some of the functions in this project. Over the course of the year, we have gained experience in organizing launch services and developed business connections with all enterprises that participate in cooperation on these media.

­ - It is known that at first it was not possible to establish contact with the Angolan satellite, then they could not keep it at the desired point. Are you taking part in the work with Angosat, in the commission to investigate what happened?

We have nothing to do with the device. We have only completed the task of launching the satellite into the target orbit.

- Has the deal to acquire Sea Launch been closed yet?

- ‎We have received a decision in principle from US regulators to purchase property complex project "Sea Launch". In particular, permission was received from the US State Department. We expect that the transaction will be closed at the end of the first - beginning of the second quarter of 2018.

- How much has already been invested in the project and what investments will still be required?

The total investment in the acquisition of the Sea Launch cosmodrome, including its removal from mothballing, is about $150 million. The issue of attracting any additional funds is not being discussed yet.

- ‎When will the first launch of Zenit take place under the renewed Sea Launch program?

- ‎For the first launch from offshore platform we intend to release at the end of 2019. The payload has not yet been determined, negotiations are underway with potential customers. The rocket itself is in high degree factory ready. The work began in previous years. In addition, another carrier is in production at Yuzhmash. It can also be assembled into as soon as possible. In total, we ordered the production of 12 Zenits from Yuzhmash.

- These missiles have always had a large number of Russian components. Domestic enterprises will continue to produce them?

Naturally. Without the participation of Russian enterprises rocket and space industry It is impossible to make Zenit. This carrier includes the RD-171 first stage engine, completely manufactured in Russia, a second stage combustion chamber, a control system and many other components. In total, about 150 domestic enterprises are involved in cooperation. Their share in value terms of the cost of the rocket is 80%. Fulfilling the contract for 12 Zenits will bring Russian enterprises half a billion dollars.

In addition, given the high unification of the Zenit and Soyuz-5 rockets, the participation of domestic enterprises in the resumption of the Sea Launch project will provide them with a stable load and will allow them to smoothly enter the production of new middle-class rockets.

From a political point of view, Sea Launch is also important as one of the few surviving “bridges” between Russia and the United States. And, what is especially valuable, is that it has been preserved in such a high-tech field as rocket and space technology and launch services.

The Soyuz-5 launch vehicle in the assembly and testing building at the Plesetsk cosmodrome / Photo: RIA Novosti, Alexey Filippov

- Will the rocket be assembled in America?

Yes, Yuzhmash is supplying the first two stages of Zenit to the United States, and final assembly will take place there. This is provided for by the interstate agreement between the United States and Russia. And there are appropriate licenses for this from government agencies of the United States.

- How many years will the ordered number of missiles last?

- We have formed a launch program until 2023 inclusive. To achieve self-sufficiency for a project, it is necessary to carry out 3–4 launches per year. The ordered Zenits should be enough for us until the creation of the Soyuz-5 rocket, that is, until the end of 2022.

- Judging by the presentation you showed at the “Space as a Business” conference, the appearance of the rocket you want to receive differs from what RSC Energia is developing. Are you really not satisfied with Soyuz-5?

Before acquiring Sea Launch, we carefully analyzed the market for launch services and the prospects for its development. A vision has been formed of what a promising commercially successful middle-class rocket should look like. We proceed from what is already presented and may appear on the launch services market in the coming years. Everyone can see the success of SpaceX with its Falcon 9. Blue Origin is also experimenting with a return stage. A competitive rocket must be two-stage, cheap to manufacture and maintain, and have a reusable first stage. If reusability is not ensured, the rocket must be even cheaper to compete in price with such a launch vehicle. In theory, it is known that the effectiveness of a reusable system begins with six starts per year. If there are fewer launches, then it makes more sense to use a cheap disposable rocket.

Ideally, a family of unified rockets with different first stages is needed. For manned projects - a disposable carrier with reliable engines. For launching spacecraft, the option with a reusable stage is cheaper and a disposable stage is more expensive, but with a greater payload capacity.

In the meantime, we are offered a three-stage and expensive carrier. Soyuz-5 is, in fact, a grown and fattened Zenit rocket. This is a wonderful medium with excellent technical characteristics, but repeating it at a new technical level, especially by 2022, when our competitors will go even further, does not look the best optimal solution. Together with RSC Energia and other industry enterprises, we are considering various options for reducing the cost and increasing the competitiveness of the new rocket.

- That is, when the owner of the S7 group of companies, Vladislav Filev, announced plans to purchase 50 launch vehicles and an option for another 35, he did not mean Soyuz-5, but your version of the rocket?

The technical capabilities of Sea Launch allow it to be operated until 2045–2050. We are ready to immediately place a large order, but we must be sure that this will be a rocket that is capable of generating profits and not losses.

Installation of the Zenit-2SB launch vehicle at the launch complex of the Baikonur cosmodrome / Photo: RIA Novosti, Oleg Urusov

- Tell us about the “orbital cosmodrome” that you propose to build for Roscosmos. What is this?

- Roscosmos, NASA and other space agencies are planning to create a visited station in lunar orbit. Accordingly, neither Russia nor the United States will have enough funds to operate two stations at once - the ISS and the one near the Moon. In this regard, all states participating in the ISS project are interested in attracting private companies to work in low Earth orbit. We are ready to cooperate with Roscosmos on this issue. For us, the Russian segment of the ISS is of interest as a scientific and industrial site where it is possible to set up unique production, assemble spacecraft, and organize a “hub” for further expansion - the exploration of the Moon and Mars.

If there is space infrastructure in low-Earth orbit, there is no need to create super-expensive super-heavy rockets to launch interplanetary ships and probes. Their assembly from smaller modules can be carried out directly on the ISS or near it. And the crews must first be delivered to the station and from there transported to a ship that flies, say, to the Moon. Firstly, it will be more economical. You can use existing rocket and space technology. Secondly, it's safer. The chance of losing everything due to an accident is less when launching structural elements in parts.

- It turns out that you want to become the operator of the Russian segment of the ISS?

- Yes, we intend to approach Roscosmos with a proposal to lease the Russian part of the station to us as a concession.

- When can this happen?

- After the restoration of the launch activities of the Sea Launch project, that is, in 2022–2024. Now we're talking about about the possible winding down of the ISS in 2024, and we propose one of the possible ways to further use the station - as an alternative to flooding.

- At the same time, do you propose to use the ISS as a transshipment base before a flight into deep space?

Yes, this is exactly what is implied in the concept of “orbital cosmodrome”. It should become a launching pad for flights into deep space. The location of the ISS in low Earth orbit makes it unique for these purposes. Here you can assemble, refuel, and maintain spacecraft and ships. It is also easier to deliver cargo to the Moon and Mars from here - using a tug with a megawatt-class nuclear power plant (NEP). Only our country has experience in creating such systems. The transport module will be able to slowly, but without significant fuel consumption and at the required time, deliver cargo to the Moon and Mars. If the main thing for manned spacecraft is reliability, comfort and flight speed, then cargo just needs to be delivered on time, when it is needed. But to service the tugs, a manned orbital base is needed. The orbital spaceport and the tug are meaningless without each other. This is our idea of ​​our business as the first space transport company in the world: the presence of a cheap and reliable carrier with launches from the equator under the Sea Launch program, as well as from Baikonur under the Land Launch program, the presence of infrastructure in low Earth orbit in the form of ISS plus vehicles for interorbital and interplanetary transportation with nuclear propulsion propulsion systems.

- Modern international law prohibits the use of nuclear systems in low Earth orbit.

Yes, that is why we propose to increase the ISS flight altitude to 600 km in the future. This is the minimum altitude for using nuclear propulsion systems, but at the same time the station itself remains inside the Earth’s magnetosphere, protecting the crew from radiation.

- Accordingly, will you need your own pilots and engineers?

Yes, that's the next step. We thought about it. Today, the training of astronauts is the prerogative of the state. In our opinion, this no longer meets the requirements of the time. RSC Energia should have its own team of test cosmonauts, as it was under Sergei Korolev. Other space technology operators should have their own teams. The cosmonaut training center must have the functions of training and certification. So far, however, this issue is not critical for us. First of all, we must resume launches under the Sea Launch program.

Interviewed by DMitry Strugovets

MOSCOW, newspaper "Izvestia"
12

OOO " S7 Space Transport Systems» ( S7 Space) — Russian company, project manager"Sea Launch" in the interests of its owner, a businessman. It is part of the largest private aviation and space holding in Russia, S7 Group, which unites companies operating in the field of air transportation, maintenance, and also in the field of space use.

S7 Sea Launch Limited — international company, acting as a customer for the Sea Launch project. The project was created in 1995, and its founders were the American corporation, the Russian corporation, the Norwegian shipbuilding enterprise Kvaerner (Aker Solutions), the Ukrainian Yuzhnoye Design Bureau and. The project was a floating cosmodrome for launching rockets of the Zenit-3SL modification of the Zenit family by the international consortium for the operation of the Sea Launch cosmodrome. The launch site is located in the Pacific Ocean at a point with coordinates 0°00′ N. w. 154°00′W d., near Christmas Island. In 2009, the operating company Sea Launch Company (SLC) was declared bankrupt. In 2017, the project was purchased by the owner's structure "".

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In May 2014, a rocket took off for the last time from the Sea Launch cosmodrome. But everything can change: on April 17, S7 Group closed the deal to purchase the cosmodrome. RBC magazine found out how the air carrier hopes to make money on the project

Photo: from the archive of the press service of the company S7 Space transport systems

In the Californian port of Long Beach, two giant ships are moored to the pier. Both did not leave the port for four years, but all this time dozens of people made sure that the complex equipment with which the ships were loaded did not fail, and that the ships were kept safe. the necessary conditions temperature and humidity. All so that at the right moment the ships and the missile equipment on them are ready to leave the mothballing mode and go on a journey 5 thousand km to the southwest - to the equator.

On the sides of the ships the inscription Sea Launch is visible from afar. The project received this name in 1995, when the American Boeing, the Russian Rocket and Space Corporation (RSC) Energia, the Ukrainian rocket manufacturers Yuzhmash and Yuzhnoye Design Bureau and the Norwegian shipbuilding company Kvaerner (now called Aker Solutions) began work on one one of the most ambitious projects in the history of astronautics.

The project was supposed to make flights to distant geostationary orbit (GSO) as cheap as possible. This orbit, located at an altitude of almost 36 thousand km, is very important for telecommunications companies: they “hang” their satellites on it. All objects in GEO move at the same angular velocity as the Earth around its axis. Once in orbit, the satellite is “fixed” above a certain point on the surface of the planet and moves synchronously with it - antennas on Earth will always be pointed at it. Launching satellites into geostationary orbit has always been expensive: by comparison, sun-synchronous orbits are at an altitude of 600-800 km, and the International Space Station is 400 km. The equator is the most suitable point for launches; here you can make the most efficient use of the Earth’s rotation speed, which is added to the speed of the rocket itself, and consume less fuel for launch: according to various estimates, savings can be up to 20%.

Bringing the project to life was very difficult. First of all, it was necessary to create a launch complex of two ships - the assembly and command ship Sea Launch Commander and the Odyssey launch platform. The platform is a self-propelled catamaran more than 130 m long, 60 m wide and 60 m high, converted from an oil production platform that burned down in 1998. Before launch, the Odyssey takes on water and dives 20 m below its normal position, making it more stable for launch. Before launch, the Odyssey team crosses a temporary bridge to the Commander, which extends at least 3-5 km. Holes are made in the platform itself, discharging most of the heat and flame into the water.

Boeing Commercial Space Company received 40% of the Sea Launch Company, RSC Energia received 25%, Aker Solutions received 20%, Yuzhmash received 10%, and Yuzhnoye Design Bureau received 5%. “Boeing, with the largest share, has also received quite broad powers to manage the project,” says Sergei Gugkaev, who has served as CEO of the Swiss Sea Launch SA since 2012 (for the last seven years it has been marketing Sea Launch). The Americans attracted loans to the project and looked for customers.

Boeing needed the project to ensure the launch of its own devices: the company has another subsidiary that produces satellites for telecommunications companies. “Boeing had many customers, but did not have a rocket to launch its devices,” says Gugkaev. The Norwegian side was responsible for the ships, the Russian side - for the technologies with which they were equipped, including the creation of a launch complex on the launch platform. About 70-80% of Russian components, including the upper stage, engine and control systems, were received by the previously Soviet and now Ukrainian Zenit rocket, for which Sea Launch was created.

Zenit was then the only robotic rocket suitable for launch from the Sea Launch platform: after being installed in a vertical state, it self-refuels and discards the docking mounts. For Sea Launch it was prerequisite: There should be no people left on the platform. As a result, a team of two hundred people is enough to launch Zenit, while at Baikonur Soyuz launches are supported by almost 1.5 thousand specialists.

“In my opinion, Zenit is a brilliant rocket, but it is necessary to distinguish brilliant rockets from competitive ones,” says Andrei Ionin, corresponding member of the K.E. Tsiolkovsky Russian Academy of Cosmonautics. — Business needs the rocket to earn a profit, and for this it should not be expensive. The downside of ingenious solutions is technical complexity and high cost.” For each launch from Sea Launch, it was necessary to assemble the rocket body in Ukraine, install Russian components on it, send it in parts to the United States, assemble and install the rocket on the ship, send it sailing to the equator, launch and return back. This algorithm complicates and increases the cost of launches.

“Sea Launch” is the last project of the era of romantic space, when they tried to simplify the launch of rockets into orbit by designing space elevators, explosions and air launches. In fact, everything turns out to be too complicated and fails in the face of a simple extension of the rockets,” says Vitaly Egorov, a popularizer of astronautics and an employee of the Russian Dauria Aerospace, who closely follows the fate of the floating cosmodrome.

On the verge of bankruptcy

In mid-1998, the Odyssey launch platform sailed from Europe across two oceans to the port of Long Beach. And in March 1999, the first rocket with a prototype of the DemoSat satellite launched from it. Over the next ten years, 30 rockets were launched from Sea Launch, two of which did not reach orbit. The anniversary was not celebrated: by 2009, Sea Launch Company declared bankruptcy.

Money for the project - according to various estimates, from $2 billion to $3.5 billion - was raised on credit under a Boeing guarantee. According to the bankruptcy filing, Sea Launch's debts amount to up to $1 billion. One of the reasons was the complexity of the project: according to the original plan, during one mission to the equator, the Sea Launch team had to launch not one, but three rockets. “Technically it was possible, but in fact this technology was not developed. Loading a rocket from an assembly and command ship to a launch platform in the open ocean was accompanied by such risks that no one dared to do it,” says Gugkaev. On average, three or four rockets were launched per year.

In 2010, RSC Energia managed to agree on the reorganization of the consortium. “This was a controlled bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the US bankruptcy law, according to which a company can enter the bankruptcy stage, pay off creditors, after which the judge gives the opportunity to a new investor to come and continue business in the company,” explains Gugkaev. As a result of the reorganization, the subsidiary Russian corporation Energia Overseas Ltd received a 95 percent stake in the company, 3% went to Boeing, 2% to Aker. Energia also still has debts to its American partner: Boeing, which repaid the Sea Launch loans, through the court demanded from RSC Energia and Ukrainian enterprises to pay off their part of the debt in accordance with their shares in old company. The proceedings were completed only in 2017: the parties signed a settlement agreement, and Boeing, as compensation for the debt, received free seats for American astronauts on Soyuz spacecraft: two seats in 2017 and 2018, three more in 2019. As a result, NASA bought them from Boeing for $373 million.

According to Gugkaev, the decision to sell the cosmodrome was made back in 2014. The first launch after the reorganization took place in 2011, in 2012 there were three successful launches, but at the beginning of 2013 there was a major failure: the launch vehicle with the Intelsat satellite, with an insured value of $406 million, had an emergency engine shutdown and fell into the ocean. “2013 actually cut down our activities. The accident was followed by an investigation that froze the project. Some satellite operators refused to fly with us further,” says Gugkaev.

In 2014, the naval spaceport was mothballed for several reasons, he continues: “The first is commercial. Just at this time, SpaceX was actively entering the market, offering prices an order of magnitude lower than those of us, our competitor Proton and the French Ariane 5 rocket. The average market price for launching a satellite weighing 5-6 tons ranged from $85 million to $110 million. SpaceX offered a price of $60-65 million.” The second reason is political, continues Gugkaev: “The project is Russian-Ukrainian-American, and we, relatively speaking, have found ourselves in this triangle of events, in which it is very difficult to continue the production chain and explain to customers the possibility of its uninterrupted functioning.”

Back in 2006, Boeing, together with Lockheed Martin, created the United Launch Alliance company, which launches satellites from the launch pads of the American Air Force for the US Department of Defense and NASA, who are ready to pay up to $250 million for the launch. They no longer needed Sea Launch,” explains Gugkaev. At the first stage, there were many people willing to buy the cosmodrome, from private companies to state governments. “Sea Launch” is a project for those who would like to get a turnkey cosmodrome, says Gugkaev. According to him, both American investors and a company from Australia were interested in the project, but the choice fell on the Russian company. In 2016, it was announced that the S7 group of companies would become the owner of Sea Launch. The transaction amount is $160 million, said co-owner of S7 Group Vladislav Filev, quoted by TASS.

85 missiles

A graduate of the A.F. Mozhaisky Military Space Academy, Vladislav Filev served in the missile forces on the Kristall satellite strategic communications system. For the next 20 years he was engaged in business: he and his wife Natalya own the S7 Group of companies, the main asset of which is S7 Airlines. Filev does not like to communicate with the press: RBC magazine was unable to contact him during the preparation of the material. One of the few public speaking, where he spoke about space acquisition, was the December “Space as a Business” conference. Filev was restrained and businesslike, although he was noticeably worried.

“I believe that money smells and it doesn’t matter how you earn it. Therefore, I would like to do what I like,” he explained his interest in the space business before moving on to the presentation. “And now I would like to look at space exploration from the point of view of money.” After completing the presentation, Filev shared his plans for the development of the project: Sea Launch needs $220 million, it is ready to resume launches in 2019, purchase 50 new rockets and add an option for another 35.

“I prefer that whatever a person undertakes is always completed. And so that a person makes money from projects not because he wants to get money, but because he is interested in it,” Filev summed up his December speech. This does not explain why a pragmatic businessman decided to buy a spaceport, which brought only losses to the owners. “Why Filev decided to buy is an open question for me. But knowing Vladislav and Natalya, I can say: since they took up this, they will definitely try to make a business out of it,” says their longtime acquaintance.

“In my opinion, Filev is an enthusiast. He good businessman, but I entered this project out of love for space rather than for money,” says Egorov. “It’s good if he manages to at least break even, then his goal will be satisfied: to be a space businessman and at least not lose money on it.”

It was not possible to find out Filev’s arguments, but Sergei Sopov, CEO of S7 Space (“S7 Space Transport Systems”), readily talks about the plans of the Sea Launch team. Recently he has been in the USA working on a project and answered questions by mail. “The purchase of the Sea Launch project is a unique opportunity for developing the business of the S7 group of companies, our entrance ticket to space,” Sopov wrote.

Since 2014, problems encountered with key element project - the Zenit rocket, not only were not resolved, but even worsened. Relations between Russia and Ukraine are worse than ever; the Yuzhmash plant, where missiles were assembled, is experiencing better times. According to representatives of the company’s management, who were quoted by Gazeta.Ru, 80% of the plant’s revenue came from projects related to Zenit. After the termination of cooperation with Russia, many employees quit.

Almost 70-80% of Zenit components Russian production, says a Roscosmos employee. — Theoretically, it is possible to restore the rocket, and the Filevs probably knew what they were doing when they started. But they are strongly dependent on the speed of processes here and in Ukraine.” In his opinion, Sea Launch can be commercially successful only if the production of Zenit aircraft is restored.

Zenit’s problems are not only on the political plane, Ionin believes: “The missile is being produced for two countries, this in itself is expensive. Customs procedures, transportation - international cooperation itself incurs an increase in costs with its customs procedures and long transportation. And the main advantage of launches from Sea Launch should be low cost.”

Experts agree that in the near future Sea Launch will need a new rocket and, most likely, it will be the Soyuz-5 being developed by RSC Energia. “In essence, this is a modernized Zenit,” explains Gugkaev. “We also considered the option of using the Angara project, but adapting the project to this launch vehicle turned out to be extremely difficult.”
At the “Space as a Business” conference, Filev spoke about his readiness to order 50 rockets with an option for another 35. “Wow - 85 rockets! Now Roscosmos makes 20-30 rockets a year, the S7 proposal is a doubling of production. I see no reason not to fight for such an order,” says Ionin. But so far, based on the characteristics and price, it turns out that Soyuz-5 is not the rocket that S7 is counting on, says Egorov from Dauria Aerospace: “Musk, for example, has a second stage in dry mass that is twice as light as that of Zenit " If Soyuz-5 is the same, it will automatically lose.”

S7 still hopes for Soyuz-5. "Especially if economic indicators The rocket will be superior to or at least equal to launch vehicles of a similar class from Western competitors,” says Sopov. — The issue of the price of the launch service, the cost of the launch vehicle and the equipment we use is primary for us. If such cooperation is successful, we are confident that we will occupy part of the launch services market and this will allow us to recoup investments in the project and make money on it.”

To be competitive, the launch of Soyuz 5 should cost no more than its competitors. Now, probably, this is not working out: in March, Sergei Sopov stated that Soyuz-5 is too expensive, and also does not yet satisfy the company in terms of characteristics. “Essentially, this is a fatter and heavier Zenit rocket. Why make a new Zenit so that in 15 years it will be outdated?” - TASS quoted him. The start of flight tests of Soyuz-5 is scheduled for 2024; before that, Zenits will most likely be used at Sea Launch: the press service of Yuzhmash reported that the company has received an order for 12 new launch vehicles for S7 Space. It is not yet clear when and how these missiles will receive Russian components.

“I hope we can reach an agreement. In my opinion, the state should support such projects, because for S7, launches from Sea Launch are only the first stage in the development of their space project. But for the second one to happen, you need to hold out until a new rocket appears,” says Ionin.

Space Loader

S7 Space has already acted as a space flight operator: in December 2017, the same Zenit rocket launched into space from the Baikonur Cosmodrome - one of two that remained with Roscosmos after their production ceased in 2014. The launch took place without incident, the satellite reached orbit, but then communication with it was lost. The company considers the launch a success: the reason for the failure of the device was not in the rocket or in the pre-launch preparations. Experience is the most valuable thing that the S7 team acquired at this launch, Sopov believes, “as well as confirmation that our team is capable of completing tasks of any complexity.” The new owner of Sea Launch really needs to gain experience: not the entire team of the old Sea Launch will continue to work in the new project; many quit after the mothballing of the cosmodrome. Sopov claims that S7 managed to assemble a team of key specialists who have already worked at Sea Launch, but the company is also recruiting young people.

The resumption of launches from Sea Launch is only part of the plans of the new space company. S7 defined the entire space program. “We want to build an orbital spaceport,” Sopov said at the InSpace forum in March 2018. — When this idea appeared, we actually thought exclusively about ourselves: we own a space transport system, and a cargo one at that. This means we need to transport cargo. The task is quite prosaic.”

The idea is not new, says the CEO of S7 Space: “This is an open space outpost in low-Earth orbit. The orbital spaceport will become a key node of the space transport system.” To make money, S7 needs to be transported; this rule applies both on Earth and in space, Sopov continued.

“We have reached a stage when states are rushing into deep space: they are talking about lunar and Martian programs in the USA, China, the European Union, and Russia. And these are huge state budgets,” says Ionin. “Private traders will follow the states into deep space, which means that the issue of space transportation of people and cargo will soon arise. Moreover, the flow of cargo will be an order of magnitude greater than manned flights. After all, the goal is not to visit the Moon or Mars, but to master them. S7 - transport company and wants this traffic flow to be theirs. They feel this business well.”

Cosmonauts need to be delivered into space quickly and safely, but with cargo the priorities are different - as cheaply as possible and on time, so two different transport systems will ensure the flow, Ionin believes. For cargo technology, different solutions can be used, for example, tugs with nuclear installations that can deliver cargo to the Moon, he says: “It will take much longer than on chemical rockets: six months versus two days. But it’s an order of magnitude cheaper.” Russia has the technology to create such tugs, Ionin believes—Rosatom has the rudiments of nuclear power propulsion systems.

The main thing for such a project is the presence of a transshipment point, a hub, where cargo will be delivered from Earth before being sent to the Moon; this is the orbital cosmodrome. The ISS station can be taken as its basis, which after 2024 can be transferred into concession to private companies: this has been discussed since the beginning of 2017. And S7 is ready to take on this project: “The orbital cosmodrome project is supposed to be implemented on the basis of the Russian segment of the International Space Station,” says Sopov.

Roscosmos seems to be interested. “S7’s initiative to develop public-private partnerships in space is consistent with Roscosmos’ vision of the prospects for space exploration in the near future,” says the state corporation’s response. “Roscosmos will consider S7’s proposals for possible joint operation of the Russian segment of the ISS when they arrive.” "

All these exciting and long-term projects are unlikely to be implemented by S7 if Filev and his company fail to bring their new project at least for self-sufficiency. The company believes in this. Sea Launch stopped working due to the low intensity of launches. But this is perhaps the only space project in the world that has not received a single cent of funding from the governments of the United States, Russia, Ukraine and Norway. And not a single order for launch services,” explains Sopov.

Sea Launch, unlike all other cosmodromes and launch operators, has never received support from any state, either directly or indirectly, confirms Gugkaev. “The same SpaceX receives subsidies from the American government and launches government satellites at far from market prices, receives money for development and research work, and when they decided to build a spaceport in Texas, the state provided them with tax holidays,” he continues. . At the same time, Sea Launch was not considered an American company in the United States and could not claim such a relationship, and the Russian government order was hampered by its American location.

The space launch market has an average of 20-25 large satellites per year, Gugkaev estimates. For Sea Launch’s work to pay off, it will take the next 25 years—that’s how long the company estimates residual resource cosmodrome before a thorough modernization - it needs to launch three to four rockets a year, Sopov claims.

This scenario looks quite realistic if you look at the average annual number of launches up to 2009. The main thing is that a rocket is found.

K:Companies founded in 2016

C7 space transport systems- a Russian company, limited liability company, the main activity of which is launching space rockets and placing space objects into orbit. Also according to OKVED there are additional types economic activity companies:

• Preparation for launching space objects into outer space (62.30.11)
• Production of spacecraft, launch vehicles (35.30.4)
• Production of other parts and accessories aircraft and spacecraft (35.30.5)
• Providing repair services, maintenance and conversion of aircraft and aircraft engines (35.30.9)
• Launch of space objects into outer space (62.30.12)
• Control of space objects in outer space (62.30.2)
• Other support activities for space transport (63.23.6)
• Research and development in natural and technical sciences (73.1)

The company plans to become the operator of the international project “Sea Launch”.

Acquisition of Sea Launch

On September 27, 2016, it was announced that a deal had been signed between the Sea Launch group (owner of the Sea Launch floating cosmodrome) and S7 Group (parent company of S7 Space Transport Systems) for the acquisition of the Sea Launch floating cosmodrome. The deal includes the purchase of the Sea Launch Commander ship and the Odyssey platform with missile segment equipment installed on them, as well as ground equipment in the home port of Long Beach (USA) and the Sea Launch trademark. It is planned to complete all procedures for registering the transaction within six months. According to S7 Group General Director Vladislav Filev, the S7 group of companies will invest more than $150 million in the project after the deal is closed. Also, for the convenience of selling launch services, it is planned to create in the USA for affiliated undertaking"S7 Sea Launch".

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Excerpt characterizing C7 space transport systems

The bells rang out; the sergeants rushed forward; The guests scattered in different rooms, like shaken rye on a shovel, crowded into one heap and stopped in the large living room at the door of the hall.
Bagration appeared at the front door, without his hat and sword, which, according to club custom, he left with the doorman. He was not in a smushkov cap with a whip over his shoulder, as Rostov saw him on the night before the Battle of Austerlitz, but in a new narrow uniform with Russian and foreign orders and with the Star of St. George on the left side of his chest. Apparently, before lunch, he had cut his hair and sideburns, which changed his face unfavorably. There was something naively festive on his face, which, in combination with his firm, courageous features, even gave a somewhat comic expression to his face. Bekleshov and Fyodor Petrovich Uvarov, who had arrived with him, stopped at the door, wanting him, as the main guest, to go ahead of them. Bagration was confused, not wanting to take advantage of their politeness; There was a stop at the door, and finally Bagration still walked forward. He walked, not knowing where to put his hands, shyly and awkwardly, along the parquet floor of the reception room: it was more familiar and easier for him to walk under bullets across a plowed field, as he walked in front of the Kursk regiment in Shengraben. The elders met him at the first door, telling him a few words about the joy of seeing such a dear guest, and without waiting for his answer, as if taking possession of him, they surrounded him and led him into the living room. In the doorway of the living room there was no way to pass from the crowded members and guests, crushing each other and trying over each other’s shoulders, like a rare animal, to look at Bagration. Count Ilya Andreich, the most energetic of all, laughing and saying: “Let me go, mon cher, let me go, let me go,” pushed through the crowd, led the guests into the living room and seated them on the middle sofa. The aces, the most honorable members of the club, surrounded the new arrivals. Count Ilya Andreich, again pushing through the crowd, left the living room and a minute later appeared with another foreman, carrying a large silver dish, which he presented to Prince Bagration. On the platter lay poems composed and printed in honor of the hero. Bagration, seeing the dish, looked around in fear, as if looking for help. But in all eyes there was a demand that he submit. Feeling himself in their power, Bagration resolutely, with both hands, took the dish and angrily, reproachfully looked at the count who was presenting it. Someone helpfully took the dish out of Bagration’s hands (otherwise he seemed to intend to keep it like that until the evening and go to the table like that) and drew his attention to the poems. “Well, I’ll read it,” Bagration seemed to say and, fixing his tired eyes on the paper, he began to read with a concentrated and serious look. The writer himself took the poems and began to read. Prince Bagration bowed his head and listened.
"Glory to Alexander age
And protect us Titus on the throne,
Be a terrible leader and a kind person,
Ripheus is in his fatherland and Caesar is on the battlefield.
Yes, happy Napoleon,
Having learned through experience what Bagration is like,
Alkidov doesn’t dare bother the Russians any more...”
But he had not yet finished the verses when the loud butler announced: “The food is ready!” The door opened, a Polish voice thundered from the dining room: “Roll out the thunder of victory, rejoice, brave Ross,” and Count Ilya Andreich, looking angrily at the author, who continued to read poetry, bowed to Bagration. Everyone stood up, feeling that dinner was more important than poetry, and again Bagration went to the table ahead of everyone. In the first place, between the two Alexanders - Bekleshov and Naryshkin, which also had significance in relation to the name of the sovereign, Bagration was seated: 300 people were seated in the dining room according to rank and importance, who was more important, closer to the guest being honored: as naturally as water spills deeper there, where the terrain is lower.