State Commission Chairman Kiyenko on Economic Impact of Satellite Programs

This document is a transcript of an interview conducted by correspondent V. Shcherban with Yuriy Pavlovich Kiyenko, the deputy chairman of the USSR Council of Ministers' Main Administration of Geodesy and Cartography and chairman of the State Commission for Launches and Use of Cosmos-series and Resurs-type Satellites. The interview, published in April 1990, serves to demystify the Soviet space program, which had previously been shrouded in secrecy. Kiyenko explains his role as a civilian coordinator of space operations, emphasizing that the program is focused on peaceful, economic, and scientific objectives rather than military-industrial interests alone. He details the practical applications of satellite technology, including mapping, ecological monitoring, oil and gas prospecting, and agricultural management. Kiyenko addresses criticisms regarding the cost of the space program, arguing that the economic benefits—such as identifying eroded soil, managing water resources, and preventing desertification—far outweigh the costs. He also discusses the environmental safety of the launches, asserting that the rockets are ecologically clean and do not damage the ozone layer. Regarding the public's concern about satellite debris, Kiyenko acknowledges that fragments occasionally fall to Earth but notes that they are designed to land in unpopulated areas. He mentions that the Northern Cosmodrome in Arkhangelsk Oblast is the preferred launch site, with launches frequently occurring at dawn. The interview concludes with a reflection on the beauty of the cosmodrome and the ongoing importance of the space program for the national economy.