The device will be a demonstration device
MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/. The first demonstration spacecraft of the Skif system will be launched in the fall of 2022. This was announced on Tuesday by the Deputy General designer of the ISS im. Reshetneva Alexander Kuzovnikov in the framework of the XIV International Navigation Forum in Moscow.
According to him, the development of advanced spacecraft is currently underway within the framework of the Sphere program. "Currently, the next milestone is the release of materials for the preliminary design by the end of this year and the production of the first prototype device. [Launch of satellites into orbit] - 2024 for "Marathon", and for "Skiff" - 2022. We plan to launch the first spacecraft next year in September-October to work out the main key solutions and demonstrate the capabilities, " he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the Sphere satellite system in 2018. In addition to communication subsystems, the "Sphere" will include Earth remote sensing devices. In total, the system will have about 380 devices. The development of the Sphere satellite communication system will also make it possible to organize a mass movement of drones in Russia both in the airspace and on the ground.
The Sphere Congress is being held at Expocentre Fairgrounds in Moscow as part of the XIV International Navigation Forum.