The Russian Federal Space Agency, also known as the Roscosmos State Corporation, is the governmental body responsible for the space science program of the Russian Federation and general aerospace research. It was previously known as the Russian Aerospace Agency from 1992 to 2015. The headquarters of Roscosmos are located in Moscow.
Roscosmos operates more than 200 facilities, including cosmodromes, observatories, test ranges, scientific research institutes and production plants. The total area under its jurisdiction exceeds 13 million square kilometers. The agency’s current director is Dmitry Rogozin.
In addition to managing the space science program of Russia through its various agencies and organizations, Roscosmos is also responsible for maintaining domestic launch capability and providing oversight of commercial operations conducted by international partners using Russian launch vehicles and infrastructure.
The agency cooperates with NASA on several joint missions, most notably the International Space Station (ISS). As of March 2018[update], Roscosmos has 61 spacecraft in orbit around Earth, including 41 satellites and 20 ISS crewed spacecraft ( Soyuz TMA-M , Soyuz MS , Progress M1-7 , Dragon 2 ). These include: 5 GLONASS navigation satellites; 11 LEO remote sensing & communications satellites; 25 GEO communications satellites; 1 Mars orbiter; 1 Venus orbiter; 3 Lunar orbiters (Lunokhods); 2 Phobos sample return probes; 4 Interplanetary stations (Venera & Zond); 6 Sun observing Prognoz satellites; 8 geostationary early warning radar payloads (Oko system) In 2015–16 Roskosmos launched a number of new initiatives aimed at developing capabilities in areas such as small satellite technology & applications as well as human deep space exploration . These efforts are being undertaken within existing divisions & organisations within Roskosmos as well as through new entities such as Glavkosmos & TsENKI . According to some estimates , these initiatives will require additional funding of up to $5 billion over 10 years .
As part of its commitment to global cooperation in space exploration, Roscosmos participates in a number of bilateral & multilateral agreements with other space faring nations . These cooperative efforts range from simple data sharing arrangements to more complex partnerships involving joint development & operation of spacecraft & related infrastructure . Notable examples include: • Bilateral Cooperation Agreement with NASA – This agreement governs all aspects of U.S.-Russian cooperation on the ISS project including crew exchange, provision of transportation services & scientific research conducted on board station • Multilateral Agreement on Cooperation in Outer Space Activities – Signed by 14 states including Russia, this agreement sets forth basic principles governing cooperative activities undertaken by signatory nations• European Cooperating States Mechanism – An arrangement between ESA member states & cooperating nations suchas Russia that facilitates participation by non-ESA members in specific ESA programs Of particular importance is Russia’s role as lead partner country for two key ESA programs: ExoMars 2020 rover mission&the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle(MPCV) which will form partof future manned missions to lunar orbit&beyond . Through these partnership agreementsRussia not only reinforces its position as a key playerin internationalspace exploration but also stands tobenefit economically fromthe technology transfer&other opportunities that arise from such collaboration .