Russia's plan to advertise on rockets and spacecraft takes off
Summary
Russia’s space program is now placing advertisements on rockets and spacecraft to raise money. This move is part of new laws approved by President Vladimir Putin to help fund space activities amid economic challenges and international sanctions.Key Facts
- Russia’s economy has likely shrunk over the last five years, partly due to the war in Ukraine.
- International sanctions have cost Russia about $450 billion since February 2022.
- Defense spending in Russia reached about 7% of the government budget, a post-Soviet high.
- Since January 1, 2026, Russian rockets have carried ads from companies like PSB Bank and Kofemaniya restaurants.
- In 2023, President Putin approved changes allowing advertising on spacecraft owned by the state.
- Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, faces losses estimated at $2.5 billion due to Western sanctions.
- Space advertising is expected to bring only a few million dollars per year, far less than losses from sanctions.
- The number of Russian rocket launches dropped to 17 per year in 2024 and 2025, one of the lowest totals outside the pandemic year 2020.
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