These are difficult times for the Russian civilian space program. Over the past few years, Russia has reduced the number of Soyuz missions sent to the International Space Station, and a replacement for the nearly 60-year-old Soyuz spacecraft remains elusive.
While the United States and China are launching more space missions than ever before, the frequency of Russian launches, which once dominated, is declining.
Russia's access to global markets ceased after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the country's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The aftermath of the invasion destroyed several key space partnerships between Russia and Europe. Russia's ability to do new things in space appears to be focused on military programs such as anti-satellite weapons.
The State Space Corporation Roscosmos, Russia's official space agency, may have a plan to offset the decline. Late last month, Putin approved changes to federal laws governing advertising and space activities to “allow advertising on spacecraft,” Roscosmos said on its official Telegram account.
We've seen this before
Russia's State Duma, dominated by Putin's supporters, previously approved the amendments.
“According to the amendments, Roscosmos has been granted the right, from January 1, 2026, to place advertising on space objects owned both by the State Corporation itself and at the federal level,” Roscosmos said. “The amendments will create a mechanism for attracting private investment in Russian space exploration and will reduce the burden on the state budget.”
The law requires that advertising symbols not affect the safety of spacecraft. The Russian government has said it will set a fee structure for advertising on federally owned space objects.
Roscosmos didn't say so, but advertisers eligible for the offer will presumably be limited to Russia and its allies. Any Western advertising will likely violate sanctions.
Rocket manufacturers regularly apply decals, decals, and special paint to their vehicles. This is a particularly popular practice in Russia. Typically these logos represent customers and suppliers. Sometimes they honor special occasions, e.g. 60th anniversary of the first manned space flight Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and 80th anniversary of the end of World War II..
