East Cosmodrome

Main article: Cosmonautics of Russia and the USSR

History

2024: Successful launch of the Angara-A5 heavy missile

On April 11, 2024, the Angara-A5 heavy-class launch vehicle (RN) was launched from the Vostochny cosmodrome in the Amur Region, which launched the Orion upper stage with a small vehicle into orbit. Over the past 10 years, this is the third launch of this launch vehicle - the previous two were from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region with payload models.

For 20 years, Angara-A5 itself has repeatedly received unflattering reviews about its characteristics, launch costs, difficulties with production in Omsk. But the main reason for criticism was the protracted development time, during which SpaceX's efforts made a breakthrough in the creation of reusable rockets, which made disposable rocket carriers a dead-end branch of development.

However, in the current conditions, this does not negate the importance of Angara-A5: after the upcoming cessation of production of JSCS «Proton», it will become the only Russian heavy-class missile, which will retain the ability to bring the devices to "high" orbits. And the modern launch complex on Vostochny allows you to do this with less energy losses in comparison with the subpolar Plesetsky.

2023: Two businessmen given 5 years in prison for fraud during the construction of the Vostochny cosmodrome

At the end of October 2023, the Zamoskvoretsky Court of Moscow sentenced to five years in prison the general director of Respect-SM Alik Aleksanyan and the head of the Baval company affiliated with him, Bagrat Mirzoyan, who was found guilty of large-scale fraud (part 4 of article 159 of the Criminal Code). Mirzoyan was also replaced by an illegal turnover of funds (part 1 of article 187 of the Criminal Code). According to the decision of the court, the convicts will serve their sentences in a general regime colony. Read more here.

2021: IT specialist of the cosmodrome received 3 years conditionally for violations in the operation of critical systems

In mid-July 2021, the IT specialist of the Vostochny cosmodrome was sentenced by the court to three years of suspended imprisonment due to gross violations in the operation of important technological systems of systems. This was reported by TASS with reference to the press service of the FSB of Russia in the Amur Region (a space center is located in this region).

The automated system, during the operation of which a gross violation was committed, refers to the so-called critical information infrastructure of the Russian Federation. The actions of the convict could entail a threat to its normal functioning.

IT specialist of the Vostochny cosmodrome received 3 years probation due to violations in the operation of critical systems

The activities of the branch employee TSENKI (Center for the Operation of Ground Space Infrastructure Facilities) were identified and stopped by FSB officers. The accused fully admitted his guilt and remained under recognizance not to leave.

At the same time, an idea was made to the management of the Vostochny space center to eliminate the reasons that created an opportunity to violate the information security regime, the press service of the FSB department in the Amur Region reports. What kind of violation is in question is not specified.

Around the Vostochny cosmodrome, the construction of which has been underway in the Amur region since 2011, scandals regularly arise against the background of waste and other violations. Over the past few years, there have been a number of high-profile layoffs.

In June 2021, for example, the deputy general director of Roscosmos, Yuri Roslyak, who oversaw the cosmodrome, was removed from office after it became known about new criminal cases initiated due to fraud during the construction of the facility.

In the same month, the Blagoveshchensky Court of the Amur Region arrested the general director of the Moscow construction company Respect-SM Alik Aleksanyan, accused of fraud worth 60 million rubles during the construction of the cosmodrome.^[1]

2020

Putin invited President of Belarus Lukashenko to complete the construction of Vostochny

President Vladimir Putin asked the head of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko to complete the construction of the Vostochny cosmodrome, Interfax writes in September 2020.

"And President Putin is already saying to me: take this object. I control, there, says, and the money is good. Today I am negotiating to transfer a couple of trusts from the Belarusian nuclear power plant to build there. We have retained large construction organizations, "Lukashenka said.

Lukashenka spoke about the possible participation of Belarusian builders in the completion of Vostochny back in February. Then, according to him, the head of Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin asked him "very much" to send his specialists to Russia.

The construction of Vostochny in the Amur Region has been underway since 2012. Of the 91 billion rubles allocated for the construction of cosmodrome facilities, 11 billion were stolen, said Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov in November last year.

Money for the construction of "Vostochny" transferred to the fight against COVID-19

7.5 billion rubles, intended for the construction of the second stage of the Vostochny cosmodrome, will be transferred to the fight against the coronavirus COVID-19. Interfax writes about this with reference to a source in the rocket and space industry on April 20, 2020. Initially, these funds were intended for the construction of the launch pad of the Angara rocket.

"Currently, the technical parameters of the investment project for the construction of the launch complex are being finalized. In this regard, it was decided to redistribute the funds previously allocated for it. The funds will be used to combat the economic consequences of coronavirus infection, as well as measures to eliminate its consequences, "the agency's interlocutor said. He clarified that 7.5 billion rubles. will go to the government reserve fund.

The construction of the launch pad for the Angara rocket on Vostochny has already begun. The work is carried out by PSO Kazan. Their end is scheduled for the end of 2022.

2019

At the construction site of the Vostochny cosmodrome, they continue to steal - Putin

During the construction of the Vostochny cosmodrome, multimillion-dollar thefts continue. This was announced in November 2019 at a meeting with members of the government by Vladimir Putin. The president's words are quoted on the Kremlin's official website.

"A hundred times it was said:" Work transparently. Big money is allocated. The project is also almost nationwide in nature. " No: they steal hundreds of millions. Hundreds of millions. Several dozen criminal cases have already been initiated. Court decisions have already taken place, people are in prison. No. So far, it has not been possible to bring order there properly, "Vladimir Putin stated.

During the construction of the Vostochny cosmodrome, 11 billion rubles were stolen, presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters. Of these, only 3.5 billion were returned to the state. "At the moment, out of 19 objects (the first stage of the cosmodrome - ed.), The construction of five has not been completed," Peskov added (quoted by RIA Novosti).

In early September, Vedomosti reported, citing its sources, about the possible replacement of the general contractor of the second stage of the cosmodrome. According to the newspaper, Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov insisted on this. As the main reason, the interlocutors of the newspaper called the extremely low pace of work. The latter in an interview with Vedomosti was confirmed by Borisov himself.

However, on September 9, it became known that PSO Kazan would remain the general contractor for the construction. This decision was made by Vladimir Putin, said Dmitry Rogozin, head of the Roscosmos state corporation.

The Ministry of Construction commented on the problems with the construction of Vostochny

The problems around the construction of the second stage of the Vostochny cosmodrome are associated not only with incorrect pricing. This was stated in August 2019 by the deputy head of the Ministry of Construction Dmitry Volkov, RIA Novosti writes.

'There's no one reason there. It cannot be said that the difficulties in selecting a contractor are associated only because the pricing system fails. There are questions, for example, to the design and estimate documentation, to how it was done, to other aspects, "Volkov said.

Earlier it was reported that the state corporation Roscosmos could not find a replacement for the contractor of the second stage of Vostochny PSO Kazan despite the serious financial problems of the company. In particular, Crocus Group refused to carry out the work due to underestimation of the estimate for 8 billion rubles. and the risks of bankruptcy associated with this, the owner of the holding, Araz Agalarov, argued. As a result, the contractor remained PSO Kazan. According to media reports, the company was even saved from bankruptcy for this after billions of tax claims from the Federal Tax Service.

Against this background, the head of the state corporation Dmitry Rogozin continued to put forward innovative initiatives. "With the help of Roscosmos, the republics of the North Caucasus Federal District will be able to increase the tax base by about 30% due to the fact that all illegal buildings are visible from satellites," Rogozin said on August 20 (hereinafter quotes from Interfax).

"For example, someone built a house somewhere in the mountains, no one sees it and does not know about it, respectively, it is Federal Registration Service not listed in it. And if taxes go from such buildings, it will improve the economy of the subjects, "the head explained his initiative Roskosmos."

Ex-head of the general contractor "Vostochny" committed suicide

The former head of the Dalspetsstroy enterprise (ex-general contractor of the first stage of the Vostochny cosmodrome) Dmitry Savin was found dead in the courtyard of his house in the capital's Zhulebino district. Kommersant writes about this in January 2019. According to preliminary data, death occurred from a gunshot wound to the head caused by a Browning acera carbine.

According to sources of RIA Novosti and Interfax, Savin could have committed suicide. The carbine from which the shot was fired was next to the ex-head of Dalspetsstroy. The weapon was registered to Dmitry Savin himself.

The deceased headed Dalspetsstroy from September 2013 to March 2015. His predecessor, as general director of the enterprise, Yuri Khrizman, was subsequently sentenced to 12 years in prison for embezzlement during the construction of Vostochny. Dmitry Savin himself left the post of head of Dalspetsstroy, allegedly for health reasons amid workers' protests due to delays in paying salaries. At the same time, he continued to work at the enterprise as deputy new head Yuri Volkodav.

However, already in April of the same year, Savin was dismissed from his post at the initiative of Dmitry Rogozin, at that time Deputy Prime Minister. "I instructed Special construction of Russia the head A. Volosov to dismiss one of the leaders of Dalspetsstroy D. Savin. It turns out that this figure not only hid problems with non-payment of salaries to workers, but also arranged his own wife in his office, paying her 800 thousand in a month. rubles He is obliged to return the money, "he then commented on Rogozin the situation on his page on the social network. Facebook

2018

The State Office of Public Prosecutor called the amount of damage at construction of the Vostochny spaceport

The total damage in criminal cases initiated in connection with the construction of the first stage of the Vostochny cosmodrome exceeded 10 billion rubles. This was stated in November 2018 by the official representative of the Prosecutor General's Office Alexander Kurennoy, writes RNS. According to him, since 2014, more than 140 such cases have been initiated.

Interestingly, this is slightly lower than the total damage that was previously voiced by the state corporation Roscosmos. In May 2017, the press service of the government said that the total amount of claims against the ex-general contractor of the first stage of the cosmodrome could exceed 12 billion rubles. Such, we recall, was Dalspetsstroy, which was one of the FSUEs of the already liquidated Spetsstroy of Russia.

As previously reported, the total cost of the first stage of the cosmodrome amounted to 84 billion rubles. Such data in May 2016 was announced by the head of Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin, who at that time was the deputy prime minister of the federal government.

Mass violations of SNiPs

When checking the work on the construction of the Vostochny cosmodrome in 2017, more than 400 deviations from construction the norms and rules were revealed. Including "critical and requiring immediate elimination." This is stated in the report, Prosecutor General's Office writes in April 2018 "."Interfax

In total, more than 8.5 thousand violations were revealed over the year, in connection with which officials were brought to administrative and disciplinary responsibility 150 times. As a result of the inspections, the Prosecutor General's Office demanded that the customer of the construction of the Roscosmos state corporation strengthen control over the quality of work. The order of the supervisory authority was implemented, the report says.

2017

Vostochny cosmodrome still lacks 7 billion

The state corporation Roscosmos was able to find only 5 billion rubles to cover the financial "hole" in the construction of the first stage of the Vostochny cosmodrome. And the total shortage of funds is 11.7 billion. Writes about this "Kommersant."

According to the newspaper, the state corporation is seeking funding for the rest of the "hole" from the Ministry of Defense. If the money to close the "hole" is not found, the former enterprises of Spetsstroy, which have passed to the military, will not be allowed until the construction of the second stage of the cosmodrome. In any case, those who have debts to Roscosmos in connection with the construction of the first stage of the facility. As Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin allegedly ordered, all new general contractors of Vostochny will have to be selected exclusively at competitions. At the same time, companies with debts for work at the cosmodrome will be banned from tenders.

Up to a quarter of the funds for Vostochny went to "gaskets" firms

Up to a quarter of the funds allocated for each object of the first stage of the Vostochny cosmodrome were transferred to certain intermediary structures - "dummies." This statement was made on the air of the Russia 24 TV channel by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin. Recall that Dalspetsstroy, an enterprise of Spetsstroy of Russia, was appointed general contractor of work without a competition.

"The problem of Spetsstroy was that there were some" gaskets. " When on each "gasket" there remained from 8% to 25% of the estimate of the cost of the object - this, I believe, is a crime. These people (the leaders of the structure of Spetsstroy - ed.) Will answer to the investigators, "Rogozin said (quoted by TASS).

Recall that the Spetsstroy of Russia was liquidated by the decree of Vladimir Putin and is in the process of disbandment. According to Kommersant, the reasons for this decision were the failure of the terms of state contracts and the extremely low level of financial discipline in subordinate enterprises. Former head of Dalspetsstroy Yuri Khrizman is under house arrest. Now he is being tried in a criminal case on embezzlement during the construction of Vostochny more than 100 million rubles. and causing damage of more than 5 billion rubles.

The new general contractor of Vostochny was the structure of Roscosmos

Controlled by Roscosmos, FSUE Center for the Operation of Ground and Space Infrastructure (FSUE TsENKI) has been appointed the new general contractor for the first stage of the Vostochny cosmodrome. A message about this was published on the official website of the enterprise. TsENKI will complete the start-up and technical complexes, as well as water intake facilities to ensure launches. The structure of Roscosmos has already concluded eight contracts with subcontractors, the report says

2016

The first launch of the launch vehicle was carried out from the Vostochny cosmodrome

On April 28, at 05:01 Moscow time, the first launch of the Soyuz-2.1a launch vehicle (RK) took place from the Vostochny cosmodrome. As reported on the website, Roskosmos according to information at 07:07 Moscow time, the Volga launch unit (BV) successfully delivered the Lomonosov, Stork-2D and SamSat-2018 spacecraft to the calculated orbits. With all three satellites, it was possible to establish. communication

Initially, the launch of the rocket was scheduled for April 27, but it was canceled one and a half minutes before the launch due to the release of automation. According to some reports, the postponement of the launch could be associated with problems that arose "with drain valves at the stage of pressurizing the launch vehicle tanks." Later, the head of Roscosmos Igor Komarov said that the problem place was localized.

It is planned to carry out up to ten unmanned launches per year from the cosmodrome, and they intend to carry out the first launch of a rocket with a crew on the ISS after 2023.

Earlier it was reported that Roscosmos offered to insure the first launch for 1.842 billion rubles, the application was posted on the public procurement website. Insurance of the rocket itself is included in this amount and will amount to 1.088 billion rubles. The launch complex is planned to be insured for 24.135 billion rubles, according to the documentation. At the same time, the initial price for the right to conclude an agreement will be 146.7 million rubles. The initial cost for the right to conclude an insurance contract for the start-up complex is 89 million rubles.

The Prosecutor General's Office reported the embezzlement of 11 billion rubles allocated to the cosmodrome

The head State Offices of Public Prosecutor Yury Chaika prepared a report to the Federation Council in April 2016, in which he spoke about some high-profile corruption investigations. The Prosecutor General's report also says that 44 criminal cases on embezzlement and abuse construction at the Vostochny cosmodrome were initiated on the basis of materials from the federal security service, the damage for which exceeded 11 billion rubles, TASS^[2] agency reported^[3]

2015: Five billion rubles stolen during construction of Vostochny cosmodrome

Law enforcement agencies have opened and are investigating several cases related to the construction of the Vostochny cosmodrome in the Amur Region. In one of these cases, the former head of FSUE Dalspetsstroy, Yuri Khrizman, and several of his employees are accused of embezzling at least 1.8 billion rubles allocated for the construction of the cosmodrome. The defendants in this case are also the son of Yuri Khrizman Mikhail and the former chairman of the Legislative Duma of the Khabarovsk Territory Viktor Chudov.

Several more criminal cases initiated on the fact of non-payment of salaries to workers involved in this construction are also associated with the construction of the Vostochny cosmodrome. The heads of several construction subcontracting companies in the framework of these criminal cases were taken into custody^[4] the^[5] of^[6].

At least 5.4 billion rubles allocated from the budget for the construction of the Vostochny cosmodrome were stolen. Such an amount, a source told Interfax, appears in the criminal case of embezzlement during the construction of the cosmodrome.

According to the investigation, the source said, not only the leaders of Dalspetsstroy, but also their subordinates participated in the embezzlement. So, he said, the suspects include the former chief accountant of one of the branches of the construction organization.

2014: Vostochny became the country's main construction site after the Sochi Olympics

Already during the construction of facilities for the Olympics (then oil cost more than a hundred dollars per barrel) it became clear that the Russian economy was sliding into a crisis, and without large construction projects at the expense of the budget or state-owned companies, it would have to be much harder than with them. The 2018 World Cup is still a long way off, so it was Vostochny that temporarily became the country's main construction site. Moreover, with him, as with the objects of the Olympics, most Russians do not have the question "why build" and "why so expensive."

2007: The beginning of the reconstruction of the military cosmodrome "Svobodny" in "Vostochny"

The Vostochny cosmodrome with an area of ​ ​ about 7 thousand square meters will be located near the Svobodny cosmodrome, which was disbanded in 2007, and a residential camp for personnel will be located on the territory of the city of Uglegorsk.

It is planned to build ten technical and supporting sites. During the construction, a launch complex of a medium-class launch vehicle of increased carrying capacity (up to 20 tons) will be built as part of two launchers, an airfield, an oxygen-nitrogen plant, a hydrogen plant, a power supply system, 115 kilometers of road and 125 kilometers of railways, including a 30-kilometer railway line from the Ledyany station.

[1] [2] A live broadcast from the construction site of the new Russian Vostochny cosmodrome was organized on the official website of the Federal Space Agency and on the portal of the Military-Industrial Commission of the Russian Federation.

2006: Russia needs its civilian spaceport

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the space power was left without a civilian cosmodrome - Baikonur moved to Kazakhstan. To reduce dependence on launches from a neighboring country and save money (Baikonur costs Russia more than a hundred million dollars a year), it was decided to build its own cosmodrome either in the Amur Region or in the Khabarovsk Territory. Amurskaya won - both because it was possible not to spend money on infrastructure (Vostochny is located not far from the disbanded military cosmodrome Svobodny), and because there is low seismicity in this area. In addition, Kommersant wrote that the rockets launched from the East will have a safe trajectory - the first stage of the rocket will fall in the uninhabited south of Yakutia, the second in the Arctic Ocean^[7].

1997: First launch from the Svobodny military cosmodrome

March 4, 1997 began the history of a new Russian cosmodrome called Svobodny - the launch of the launch vehicle Start 1.2 - with the Zeya spacecraft on board.

Notes