Russian Parliament, or the State Duma, has given permission for Roscosmos to commercialize space advertising.
In a significant move, the Russian space agency Roscosmos has been granted the right to promote and conduct advertising campaigns on space infrastructure objects and equipment, effective from January 1, 2026. This decision, made by the Russian government, opens up a new avenue for revenue generation.
The potential annual income from advertising on space equipment is estimated to reach 200 million rubles, according to estimates. Half of these profits will go to the federal budget as non-tax revenues, while the other half will be used to form special reserve funds of Roscosmos.
The search results do not contain any information about the names of Russian banks and insurance companies interested in announcing outdoor advertising on space stations and spacecrafts according to Roscosmos. However, large Russian banks and insurance companies have been identified as potential customers for Roscosmos advertising.
This new venture is not a first for Roscosmos. In the early 1990s, a meter-high model of a Pepsi-Cola bank was displayed from the "Mir" station. More recently, a promotional video for the S7 airline was shot in orbit at an unspecified date. In 2021, a banner with a greeting from PAO "Sberbank Russia" for its 180th anniversary was broadcast live from orbit.
The placement of advertising on federal property without auctions is allowed only in cases directly prescribed by Russian legislation. In other situations, contracts for advertising must be concluded through auction procedures. The size and terms of payments for advertising placed without auctions are determined by the Russian government.
The State Duma Committee on Property Issues has concluded that advertising in space has traditionally been a stable source of additional income for participants in space activities. This move by Roscosmos is expected to further bolster this income stream.
In 2001, a three-meter Pizza Hut emblem was placed on the fairing of a rocket destined for the International Space Station. This marks one of the earliest examples of advertising in space by a commercial entity.
It is important to note that no new information about the use of advertising revenues has been provided. The lack of specific advertising rules or regulations beyond what was previously stated also raises questions about the future of this new revenue stream.
Despite these uncertainties, the potential for advertising in space is vast. Organizations have expressed a desire to participate in the creation of names for spacecraft and apparatus, which could become an additional source of income for Roscosmos. This move by Roscosmos could mark the beginning of a new era in space exploration and revenue generation.
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