The structure is a single complex of buildings, its area is 257 thousand square meters.m.
MOSCOW, September 18. /tass/. The opening of the National Space Center (NCC) is a powerful signal of Russia's intention to maintain and strengthen its position in space, despite the challenges of the modern world. This opinion was expressed to TASS by Oleg Kononenko, commander of the Roscosmos cosmonaut squad, deputy head of the Yuri Gagarin Space Center.
The center opened in Moscow on September 13. "The construction of such a futuristic NCC has symbolic significance. This is a powerful signal of Russia's intention to maintain and strengthen its position in space, despite all the challenges of the modern world. The structure is a single complex of buildings with an area of 257 thousand square meters.m with various storeys. The highest part of the center is a 47-storey tower with a height of 288 m, which symbolizes the rocket at launch," Kononenko said.
Synergy and breakthrough projects
The center will house more than 30 enterprises of the rocket and space industry with a total number of about 10,000 people. Among them are JSC Khrunichev State Scientific Research Center, JSC CENKI, JSC Russian Space Systems, JSC RSC Progress, JSC Reshetnev, JSC Corporation MIT, PJSC RSC Energia, JSC TsNIIMash, JSC NPO Lavochkina".
"I consider the NCC to be a large-scale and landmark project for the Russian space industry, as the leading organizations of the industry will be concentrated in a modern complex under one roof. This event is of crucial importance and has practical benefits for the rocket and space industry. Firstly, synergy is provided by combining the head offices and key divisions of the Roscosmos State Corporation, leading design bureaus, and research institutes in one place. This is the main goal. The interaction between all organizations should be radically improved, and the time for coordination and decision-making should be reduced," the cosmonaut added.
Kononenko also noted that the creation of the center will allow for a technological breakthrough and focus on breakthrough projects. "Modern equipment for modeling and strength testing of virtual models will allow you to "live" the life of a launch vehicle or spacecraft in digital form before making expensive metal. This saves a lot of money and time," he said.
The NCC includes office space, a congress center, a joint industry information center with unique multimedia systems, and infrastructure for employees. "All this should create the conditions necessary for the implementation of the ambitious tasks of the new national Space project, including the creation of a Russian orbital station and an Amur launch vehicle with a returnable first stage, the deployment of conveyor production of spacecraft to significantly increase the Russian orbital grouping in the interests of communications, navigation and remote sensing, the development of nuclear space energy, deep space exploration," the Hero of Russia added.
The Think Tank
Kononenko stressed that the NCC was conceived as a "think tank" for Russian cosmonautics, a new center of competence and attraction of investments. "It should become a point of attraction not only for state-owned, but also for private companies (startups in the field of small satellites, satellite communications, remote sensing). This can create a healthy competitive environment. In addition, the center is designed to develop human resources and attract young and talented specialists. The idea is to create an environment where students, scientists and engineers work side by side. In addition, the modern environment and proximity to science should help solve one of the main problems of the industry - the "aging" of personnel," the cosmonaut said.
University students will be able to take internships at the NCC laboratory, work with leading engineers and immediately get involved in real projects. "A talented university graduate is more likely to go to work in a modern center with advanced technologies, and scientists from research institutes will be physically closer to practicing engineers. This will accelerate the implementation of fundamental scientific developments in specific products - new materials, control systems, engines," said Kononenko.
The commander of the Roscosmos cosmonaut squad added that the creation of the technology center will raise the image and prestige of the state corporation, as well as change the perception of the industry to a "modern and technological industry, which is important for attracting new partners and young talents."
New technologies and opportunities
Oleg Kononenko expressed the opinion that the architectural appearance, technical equipment and capabilities of the new NCC will attract young specialists. "Modern architecture, huge spaces, glass and concrete are visually appealing to young people. The NCC is positioned as a place with open workshops, prototyping centers, and lecture halls where you can touch technology with your hands, which will undoubtedly arouse great interest among young professionals. The opportunity to work with modern equipment (3D printers, powerful simulators, VR simulators) is a powerful magnet for young talents," said the cosmonaut.
He added that the center provides integration with leading universities. "And this is a direct path from a diploma to an interesting job. The museum, open lectures by cosmonauts and engineers, and open days will all work to promote cosmonautics. Young people will be able to come and touch the cosmos, feel their belonging. The opening of the NCC is an ambitious and necessary step in modernizing the Russian space program. In my opinion, the success of the center will be measured not by the height of the tower, but by how much it can really accelerate the development of new technologies, attract talent and help Russia realize its "space" ambitions. The NCC should give the industry exactly what it lacks.: speed, synergy, and focus on the future. I really want the NCC to become a real driver of the development of cosmonautics in Russia," Kononenko said.
The commander of the Roscosmos cosmonaut squad noted that the NCC is an "intelligent reactor" where, with proper management and support, a chain reaction of brilliant ideas and breakthrough technologies can occur. "The task of the state and the industry leadership is not to let this reactor turn into a frozen bureaucratic structure, but to maintain a critical level of creative energy and competition in it," he said.
