MOSCOW. June 29 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin described the creation of satellites for ultra-low orbits of 200 kilometers as a promising trend and promised to discuss this issue with Roscosmos head Yury Borisov.
During a plenary session of the Agency of Strategic Initiatives Forum titled "Strong Ideas for a New Time," the president was told about a private project to create this type of satellites. Putin was told that all satellites are currently operating at an altitude of 500 kilometers and above, because they could be affected by the residual atmosphere at lower altitudes, which would result in the de-orbiting of the spacecraft. The rapporteur said that a number of leading countries are currently working on a solution to this problem, but Russian engineers have managed to create an engine that will keep the satellites at this altitude.
The president was asked to instruct Roscosmos to provide a budget for completing tests of these satellites, and to instruct the government to elaborate a program to develop a low-altitude satellite and allocate funding.
"This is a very interesting and promising area. You are completely right when you say that this niche is not occupied and we need to work actively here while it is not occupied. So I will definitely talk to [Roscosmos head] Yury Ivanovich [Borisov]," Putin said.
He also said that he backed cooperation between Roscosmos and private companies.
As for financing, Putin advised his interlocutor to turn to the Advanced Research Foundation regarding this issue.