Russia’s state corporation responsible for space flights and cosmonautic programs, Roscosmos, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Finnish-Russian industrial digitalization leader Zyfra to collaborate on implementing the Russian space industry’s digital transformation strategy, which runs up to 2025, and its adoption of digital technologies.

The document was signed by the Director of the Roscosmos’ Department of Digital Development, Konstantin Shadrin, and the Zyfra CEO Igor Bogachev.

According to the memorandum, Roscosmos and Zyfra plan to jointly develop sophisticated home grown solutions in the digital technology sector, including those based on Russian technology platforms. They also plan to test cutting-edge digital technology at Roscosmos sites, including big data, the industrial internet of things and artificial intelligence.

“Nowadays, digital technologies are becoming an integral part of the space and rocket development industry. Digitalization should encapsulate all activities within the sector, from novel rocket design and process simulation right through to support functions. The best Russian technologies will be used to implement these projects, while new ones will also be created,” said Konstantin Shadrin, Director of the Department of Digital Development at Roscosmos.

One of the core activities under the memorandum will be the implementing of Zyfra’s MDCplus real-time machine monitoring and manufacturing data collection system at Roscosmos manufacturing sites. Its main purpose will be to increase manufacturing equipment efficiency by an average of 20%, raise workforce productivity and ensure objective and transparent computer-based monitoring of production.

MDCplus is already operational at Roscosmos sites, particularly at the Information Satellite Systems Reshetnev, Russia’s leading enterprise for the development of spacecraft communications, broadcasting, re-broadcasting, navigation and geodesy, as well as the Progress Rocket Space Centre, which is one of the global leaders in the space industry for the development, manufacture and maintenance of medium-lift launch vehicles.

“Russian developments in the Industry 4.0 sector are already allowing us to create digital workplaces and reap economic benefits without a drastic overhaul of production processes. This will facilitate not only an increase in production quality but an increase in the international competitiveness of the Russian space sector,” said Igor Bogachev, CEO of Zyfra.