Russian Spaceport's Lights Go Dark Amid Unpaid Bills and Financial Woes

The electric company, Dalenergo, has disconnected the power supply to the Vostochny spaceport in Russia's Amur region due to unpaid bills. The spaceport, a key project for Russia's space agency Roscosmos, has been plagued by corruption and financial issues since its inception in 2011. According to reports, the spaceport owes Dalenergo approximately 1.7 billion rubles (around $22 million USD), which has not been paid in full. "We have repeatedly sent notifications to the spaceport's management about the overdue payments, but unfortunately, we have not received any response," said a Dalenergo spokesperson. "As a result, we have been forced to disconnect the power supply to the spaceport." The Vostochny spaceport has faced numerous challenges, including corruption scandals, worker protests, and equipment theft. In 2018, a high-ranking official was arrested for embezzling funds meant for the spaceport's construction. Despite these setbacks, Roscosmos has continued to invest in the project, with plans to build seven launch pads at the site. The spaceport's financial woes have raised concerns about the sustainability of Russia's space program. "The Vostochny spaceport is a critical component of Russia's space industry, and its financial struggles are a major concern," said a space industry analyst. "If the spaceport is unable to pay its bills, it could have serious implications for the entire Russian space program." The Vostochny spaceport has made some progress in recent years, with the successful launch of a Soyuz-2 rocket in 2016 and an Angara rocket in 2024. However, the spaceport's financial issues have hindered its development, and it remains to be seen whether it will be able to overcome its current challenges. Dalenergo has stated that it will not reconnect the power supply until the spaceport's debts are paid in full. Roscosmos has not commented on the situation, but it is likely that the space agency will need to find a solution to the spaceport's financial woes in order to continue its development.