The National Space Center (NSC), a collaborative effort between the Moscow government and Roscosmos State Corporation, has officially opened its doors. This ambitious project aims to consolidate approximately 20,000 engineers from the rocket and space industry, becoming a pivotal hub for an innovative industrial zone. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the center on City Day, extending his congratulations to the sector`s specialists.
The new National Space Center was inaugurated in Moscow`s Fili Park, on the site of the former Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center. President Vladimir Putin attended the opening on City Day, commending all individuals directly and indirectly involved in Russia`s space industry.
A joint initiative of the Moscow government and Roscosmos, construction of the NSC began in 2019. The estimated cost of its construction was 25 billion rubles. Previous reports indicated that the center would host 20,000 engineers from various subdivisions of the rocket and space industry.
Moscow Mayor`s Vision
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin participated in the opening ceremony, emphasizing the center`s significance:
“This is one of the most modern and technologically advanced complexes in the world. It provides everything necessary for scientific research, development, and industry management. The building of Roscosmos and the National Space Center itself is not the end of this site`s reorganization. In fact, it marks the beginning of the revitalization of what is currently an underutilized industrial zone. We`ve built 1.5 million square meters of a modern, innovative industrial park, which will house educational centers. A contemporary `super-college` will also be built, significantly contributing to the training of specialists, including those in the space industry.”
Infrastructure Development and Relocation Plans
According to Sobyanin, essential infrastructure has been developed around the new center. Two new bridges have been completed, with two more currently under construction. A new metro station is also nearby, just a 15-minute walk away. Several dozen Roscosmos enterprises are expected to relocate to this new scientific and technical complex.
While the move is anticipated to boost efficiency, production facilities will not be relocating, remaining at their current sites, noted scientific journalist Mikhail Kotov.
Mikhail Kotov, Scientific Journalist: “This is the first attempt to unite the leading space minds of the Russian Federation under one roof in a single center. The National Space Center is expected to host all scientific and design work. It will bring together over 30 Roscosmos enterprises, plus private space companies. Roscosmos will, of course, relocate there. However, it`s important to understand that Roscosmos is a vast structure, encompassing over 100 companies that contribute to Russian cosmonautics. Production facilities are located across Russia and will naturally not be moving here. Only those companies and organizations for whom it is convenient, primarily those engaged in scientific and design activities, will move to the National Space Center. Clearly, the cosmonaut training center or production sites cannot physically relocate there.”
Additional Moscow City Day Openings
Coinciding with Moscow City Day, several other facilities were opened in the capital. The President and Mayor also launched traffic on a new section of the Troitskaya metro line, including stations “Vavilovskaya,” “Akademicheskaya,” “Krymskaya,” and “ZIL.” The existing section of the Troitskaya line, which previously connected the red line to the BKL, now extends to the Moscow Central Circle (MCC).
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth