Putin Appoints Former Space Chief as Special Representative
Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed Yuri Borisov, the former head of Roscosmos, as his special representative for international space cooperation. A presidential decree confirmed Borisov’s new role on Tuesday, replacing veteran cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev.
Yuri Borisov: Tenure at Roscosmos
Yuri Borisov led Russia’s space agency from July 2022 until earlier this month. His tenure was marked by setbacks, including the failed Luna-25 moon mission, which crashed while attempting to land. The incident was a significant blow, as it was Russia’s first moon mission in 47 years. No official reason was given for his dismissal.
Despite challenges, Borisov outlined ambitious plans for Russia’s space programme, including the development of a national orbital space station to replace the ageing International Space Station (ISS).
Leadership Change at Roscosmos
Following Borisov’s departure, Putin appointed Dmitry Bakanov, the former Deputy Transport Minister, as the new head of Roscosmos. Before his government role, Bakanov managed a satellite company, bringing industry expertise to the agency.
Russia’s Space Ambitions
Russia has long been a dominant force in space exploration, dating back to Yuri Gagarin’s historic 1961 flight as the first human in space. Despite recent challenges, the Kremlin continues to push forward with its space ambitions, focusing on new projects and international partnerships.
With inputs from Reuters
