Russia to build Vostochny spaceport on schedule — Deputy PM Rogozin

UGLERGORSK, April 27. /TASS/. The Russian government has established full control over budget spending and wage payments at the Vostochny spaceport construction site and talks about the need to adjust its timeframe should be stopped, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Monday.

The vice-premier said at a meeting on the Vostochny cosmodrome construction in Uglegorsk in the Russian Far East there must be no talks about delaying the timeframe of the spaceport’s launch into operation.

"We now really proceed from the fact that we’re complying with the schedule," Rogozin said.

The practice of delaying wage payments to Vostochny spaceport construction workers must be stopped, the vice-premier said.

"If we’re now approaching the required rhythm and pace, then this simply cannot be done without resolving the problems of people engaged in construction," Rogozin said.

"They should not be just workers but allies in the effort to build such an important strategic facility on time and with good quality," he added.

Russia is building the Vostochny cosmodrome as an alternative to the Baikonur space center, which it is using under a lease agreement with Kazakhstan.

As of April 24, wage arrears worth 28.1 million rubles ($560,000) were repaid. Delayed wages in the amount of 38 million rubles ($756,000) are expected to be paid in seven construction companies soon. These debts must be repaid by April 30, the vice-premier said.

"I’ll come here on May 5 to check everything," Rogozin said.

The Russian government has set up a special division in its defense industry department to oversee the space and rocket industry, the vice-premier said.

"Very skilled people have been selected. They have the powers to oversee the issues related to control over the Vostochny construction. A similar department has been set up in the Construction Ministry, which exercises supervision over the construction site," the vice-premier said.

All the budget funds allocated for the Vostochny spaceport construction must be spent exclusively for the purposes they are designated, Rogozin said. "It has already been decided that all payments will go solely through the treasury. Control has been established," Rogozin said.

The Vostochny space center is scheduled to go into operation in late 2015.