[FPSPACE] Roscosmos director asked to resign

[Constantine A Domashnev]

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20120322/172314555.html

05:55 22/03/2012 MSK MOSCOW, RIA Novosti

Dmitry Rogozin, Russian deputy prime minister in charge of space and 
defense, strongly condemned the mutual accusations exchanged by the Russian 
space agency and a space industry contractor, his spokeswoman said.

Russian Space Agency Roscosmos and the state-financed space industry 
contractor Russian Space Systems accused each other on Wednesday of 
financial and organizational mismanagement.

“Dmitry Rogozin is extremely critical about the scandal around Roscosmos. He 
categorically prohibited the management and employees of subordinate 
structures to publicly discuss this issue,” the deputy premier’s spokeswoman 
Lidiya Mikhailova said. She quoted Rogozin as saying that “such public 
disagreements and strong accusations may do significant damage to the 
Russian space industry.”

On Wednesday a letter was posted on the Russian Space Systems website, 
proposing that Popovkin leave his post. The letter, signed by Russian Space 
Systems deputy head Ivan Golub, accused the Roscosmos chief of “illegal 
audits” and “creating uncontrolled structures.” It was later removed from 
the website on the grounds that it was intended for internal use and was 
released by a mistake.

The letter triggered an angry reaction from the Russian space agency. A 
spokesman said those who wrote it tried to “excuse themselves,” while 
Popovkin’s spokeswoman Anna Vedishcheva said it was a part of a “media 
provocation” against her boss.

The Russian Space Systems  accusations apparently come as a response to 
Popovkin’s comments on Monday. The official accused “space industry 
contractors” of disseminating false rumors about him because they were 
dissatisfied with his attempt to reform the industry.

Popovkin was hospitalized earlier this month because of exhaustion caused by 
a hectic schedule and frequent jet lags, according to official statements. 
Some media reported it was due to injuries sustained in a brawl.