Article Posted on : - Sep 08, 2011

The Plesetsk space center is Russia’s only launch facility.

MOSCOW (BNS): Russia is planning to spend over $170 million on the development and expansion of the Plesetsk space center this year, Space Forces spokesman Col. Alexei Zolotukhin said on Wednesday.

According to a news report in RIA Novosti, the money will be spent on new facilities, which includes reconstruction of a motorway, construction of barracks, healthcare and a cafeteria.

The centre’s energy supply system will also be modernised.

Plesetsk Space Center in Arkhangelsk Oblast is Russia's only and the world's northernmost space center.

It is designed to put heavy payloads into orbit and will reduce Moscow's dependence on Kazakhstan's Baikonur, the main launch facility for the current generation of Russian rockets.