Russian Space Official: “We Must Stop Lying to Ourselves” About Industry’s Health

▼ Summary
– The head of Russia’s RSC Energia corporation issued a warning that the company is in a critical state and cannot continue as it is.
– The company faces severe financial issues, including multi-million dollar debts and loan interest that consumes its budget.
– Many processes are ineffective, and a significant part of the team has lost motivation and a sense of shared responsibility.
– Energia manufactures key space products like the Soyuz crew spacecraft and modules for Russia’s next-generation space station.
– The corporation is struggling to pay wages and fulfill its contractual obligations for spacecraft and other products.
The head of Russia’s primary spacecraft manufacturer has issued a stark warning, declaring the corporation’s condition critical and unsustainable under current circumstances. This alarming statement underscores deep-seated financial and operational challenges within one of the nation’s most historically significant aerospace entities.
Igor Maltsev, who leads RSC Energia, detailed a troubling scenario marked by multi-million dollar debts, loan interest consuming the budget, inefficient processes, and a workforce suffering from diminished motivation and shared accountability. His candid assessment was initially reported by a major Russian news outlet and later shared on a Telegram channel known for its critical stance on the country’s space initiatives, with the authenticity of the remarks verified by multiple sources.
Energia, named in honor of pioneering Soviet rocket scientist Sergei Korolev, operates from the industrial city that also bears his name. Originally repurposed from postwar artillery production to support space exploration, the company now holds responsibility for manufacturing the Soyuz crew vehicle, the Progress cargo ship, and modules intended for Russia’s planned next-generation space station.
Maltsev’s message to employees highlighted severe difficulties in meeting payroll obligations and fulfilling contractual commitments for spacecraft and related products. He emphasized the urgent need for honesty, stating that misleading narratives about stability must end. The situation calls for decisive action and a collective willingness to contribute meaningfully to the enterprise’s recovery.
(Source: Ars Technica)