MOSCOW. Jan 17 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin does not rule out that the launch of the Phobos-Grunt station could have failed due to interference from U.S. radar signals.
"This theory has a right to exist," he told reporters on Tuesday.
Rogozin said information has been received from Russian experts indicating that Russian spacecraft frequently fly over areas of Earth not controlled by Roscosmos.
"I hope it's not so. However, if it is so, the necessary conclusions will be made. I will take all necessary measures, including organizational and political, to ensure that the Roscosmos report is not left without a follow-up," Rogozin said.
At the same time, Rogozin said there is another theory relating to problems in the rocket and space industry caused by the situation in Russia in the 1990s.
"The main thing now is to rid us of the consequences of the unpleasant 1990s, when production fell sharply and the potential of the rocket and space industry was depressed. We now see that the failures in space are connected to defects in the equipment that was produced some 12-13 years ago. If this fact is confirmed, the necessary technical conclusions will be made," Rogozin said,
"If outside impact on our spacecraft from the side of the earth invisible to us is confirmed, different conclusions will be made," he said.
Rogozin said Roscosmos Director Vladimir Popovkin will report on the situation in the rocket and space industry, including the failed launch of the Phobos-Grunt, on January 31. "We need to wait for an objective and full report by Roscosmos," Rogozin said.