A Russian Cosmonaut Uses a Government e‑Service from Space
A Russian cosmonaut accessed Russia’s national digital services portal from aboard the International Space Station, demonstrating the resilience of the country’s digital infrastructure even under extreme conditions
Symbolic Milestone
A Russian cosmonaut, Alexey Zubritsky, used the Gosuslugi government services portal to submit an application for the “self‑ban on SIM‑card registration” service directly from the International Space Station (ISS). The request was accepted and processed in just 30 seconds. According to Roscosmos leadership, this marks the first time a government e‑service has been used from space—effectively taking the platform “to a truly cosmic level.” While the event is symbolic and not yet intended for mass adoption, it serves as a powerful demonstration that Russia’s digital platforms can operate reliably even under the most extreme technical conditions.
This case further strengthens Russia’s reputation as a technologically advanced nation and reinforces the pace of the country’s digital transformation. Public trust in state digital platforms is likely to grow, and the demonstration may spur future expansion of digital services. Zubritsky’s case clearly shows that Russia’s digital infrastructure can already meet high operational standards—an achievement notable even on the global stage.
A Boost for Development
The event could catalyze new functionality for the national digital services portal, such as satellite‑based access, service delivery in remote regions, onboard connectivity for marine and air transport, and other unconventional use cases.
Deeper integration between space‑sector technologies and state digital platforms could create new competencies at the intersection of “digital + space.” With the reliability of infrastructure confirmed, further investment in digital platforms becomes more justified.
The development also reinforces the need for satellite internet expansion, especially for Russia’s remote and Arctic territories. A digital service model designed to function even outside terrestrial networks could gain export potential among international partners, particularly within the Global South.
Connectivity for the Arctic
Efforts to expand digital services and connectivity in remote areas, including Arctic territories, have accelerated in recent years. In 2020, Russia launched a pilot initiative for “Digital MFCs” across several regions. A year later, the government officially prioritized Arctic digitalization as a national strategic goal.
In 2023, Russia launched the “Arctica‑Svyaz” project, bringing stable internet access to isolated Arctic settlements. In 2024, a new initiative was announced to deploy satellite communication systems throughout the Arctic Zone. Most recently, Russia tested a Starlink‑like system in the Arctic, with plans to launch low‑orbit satellites capable of supporting remote internet access.
A New Export Vector
The Zubritsky milestone strengthens Russia’s push toward technological sovereignty and digital maturity. The combination of “state e‑services + satellite infrastructure + secure communication” may form a new direction for Russia’s digital transformation.
By 2030, Russia could deploy a fully operational “Digital Services Anywhere” platform powered by satellite connectivity, enabling access from Arctic regions, maritime routes, and even space. If packaged as an integrated export‑oriented solution—digital services, satellite infrastructure, data security, and independence from foreign platforms—Russia could achieve significant international demand.
Success, however, will require progress in standardization, global partnerships, market adaptation, and proven commercial use cases. A full ecosystem—identity, access, security, interoperability—will be critical to strengthening the platform’s global appeal.
