Conclusions

Abstract

After feeding the impression of a second golden age for space activities during the course of the 2000s, over the past 10 years, the Russian space sector seems to have once again glided on the precipice of a systemic state of crisis. This situation has been the inevitable by-product of the persistence of deep-rooted problems (such as an out-dated industrial base, gaps in quality control, excessive manufacturing capacity, low labour productivity, recurrent administrative reforms etc.) combined with a series of negative external factors outside the direct control of Russia’s space authorities (in particular a tense political situation in the international arena and the still-ongoing financial and economic crisis).