In Russia, the "Milky Way" information and analytical system for ensuring the safety of space activities is being developed, which will become a development of the existing ASPOS OKP system. Private companies may participate in the project.
Maksim Penkov, Deputy General Director of TsNIImash JSC (part of Roscosmos State Corporation) for applied research and projects in the field of ensuring safety in near-Earth space, said that the new project will include monitoring not only man-made space objects and space weather, but also small celestial bodies, such as asteroids and comets. The system will also assess and predict the electromagnetic environment in near-Earth space.
The "Milky Way" will provide global and continuous monitoring of near-Earth space using ground-based optoelectronic and radar facilities, as well as spacecraft. It is planned to create orbital constellations for monitoring man-made objects and small celestial bodies, as well as launching spacecraft for observing the Sun.
The information obtained as a result of monitoring will be processed in the main information analytical center of the system, followed by the transfer of results to interested consumers, including foreign ones.
The participation of private domestic companies in the implementation of the "Milky Way" project is possible and целесообразно. If there is relevant practical experience, scientific and technical potential and groundwork, as well as competitive advantages, private companies can be used in the creation and operation of individual ground-based technical monitoring equipment, means of forming and providing services, including on a commercial basis.
The project is at the preparation stage, research and development work is being carried out and a draft passport of the federal project is being developed. It is expected that development work will begin in 2026. The project involves Russian organizations and departments, including Roscosmos, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Digital Development, the Ministry of Natural Resources and enterprises of the military-industrial complex.
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