[FPSPACE] Russian Space Profits

[JamesOberg@aol.com]

JimO: Koptev has often said that Russian participation in ISS is the "cost of 
doing business" to persuade Western governments not to interfere in these 
REAL profits.

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Space industry to be major earner for Russia this year
ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow, in English 2007 gmt 15 Nov 00
     Moscow, 15th November: Russia plans to earn about 800m dollars from 
space services in 2000, according to the Russian Space and Aircraft Agency, 
or Rosaviakosmos. The agency says revenue from space services grows steadily. 
In 1993, they earned the budget 40m dollars, in 1998 880m dollars.
     Rosaviakosmos experts say that Russia could have a package of commercial 
contracts for 2bn dollars with a focus on space launches, while foreign space 
agencies get up to 70 per cent of profits from communication and television 
broadcasting services.
     In 2000, Russia made 24 launches and put 35 satellites into orbit, 
including 20 foreign ones. It plans to launch five more satellites by the end 
of the year, including three foreign ones.

International space projects to bring Russia 800m dollars in 2000
RIA news agency, Moscow, in Russian 2119 gmt 15 Nov 00
     Moscow, 15th November: Russia can earn up to 2bn dollars a year on 
international cooperation in space, the Russian Space and Aircraft Agency 
told RIA on the eve of the cabinet session at which the implementation of 
Russia's international commitments in space will be considered.
     Russia made 40m dollars on international space cooperation in 1993, 880m 
dollars in 1998 and 620m dollars in 1999. This year the incomes are expected 
as 800m dollars, the agency said. Cooperation in this field creates about 
100,000 jobs in Russia.
     The main stake is made on the ISS project. Russia will launch five cargo 
ships and two manned ships to the International Space Station in the near 
future.
     In 2000 Russia launched 24 boosters which took to space orbits 35 
satellites including 20 foreign ones. Five more spacecraft including three 
foreign ones will be launched by the end of the year.