They will be used in projects to provide broadband access to the Internet and remote sensing of the Earth
MOSCOW, July 17th. /tass/. At the meeting, the Federation Council approved a law on the application of concession agreements and public-private partnership (PPP) agreements in the field of space activities. The document was initiated by Senators Andrey Kutepov and Murat Khapsirokov.
In particular, it is proposed to amend the laws "On Concession Agreements" and "On Public-private Partnership, municipal-private Partnership in the Russian Federation".
In the space sector, PPP mechanisms will be used in projects to provide broadband Internet access and remote sensing of the Earth, as part of the study of greenhouse gas fluxes.
The wording of the document adopted in the second reading provides for the transfer of space technology or its components created under the concession agreement into the possession and use of the concessionaire. Also, according to the amendments to the document, the ownership right of a private partner may arise for such equipment or its components. The exception will be space technology, its components, and ground-based space infrastructure facilities related to satellite navigation systems that are already state or municipal property operated by the Ministry of Defense or the Roscosmos Corporation.
"The new draft law on PPP in the space industry will become fundamental and system-forming. For the first time, private space companies will be allowed to engage in such important and strategic activities for our country. The need to develop a private initiative in the space industry has been around for a long time. Now we are streamlining the regulatory framework and improving legislation in such a way as to create the best conditions for attracting private investment in the space industry, as well as for the development of new technologies," Ilya Torosov, First Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, noted earlier, his words were conveyed by the press service of the ministry.
The document also establishes the possibility of financing space activities within the framework of PPP agreements and concessions. It is proposed to introduce into the law on navigation activities the possibility of transferring spacecraft and space infrastructure facilities related to satellite navigation systems and created under a concession agreement or a PPP agreement to a private investor under a concession agreement or a PPP agreement. The law on concessions will replenish the list of objects of agreements at the expense of space infrastructure facilities and technologically related space objects (satellites).
As Maxim Topilin, chairman of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy, explained earlier, an important mechanism of public-private partnership is being built, which will create new opportunities for the implementation of large-scale investment projects in space exploration. "The role of the state and private business in the development of space technologies is increasing. Roscosmos is the main developer of the national project for the development of the space industry. Private initiatives will also receive support in the development of key technological transformations of electronics for space and will provide the entire territory of our large country, including remote regions, the Arctic zone, with high-quality communications and Internet services," he pointed out.
