"This will enable us to carry on with our main projects," Koptev told reporters at the opening of Russia's annual air show MAKS at Zhukovsky, on the southwestern outskirts of Moscow.

The additional funds, a supplement to Russia's 2004 budget, "mean we will be able to actively develop the International Space Station project," he said, as quoted by the Interfax-AVN news agency.

"We will pay mainly for the transport problems and the station's life systems, but some will be left over to develop the Russian segment on the ISS," Koptev said.

The extra money will also enable Russia to increase the number of its satellite launches for communications and scientific purposes.

According to the Russian Space Forces, the space wing of Russia's armed forces, around 100 Russian satellites are currently in orbit, including 60 of military application.

The Russian Space Agency has frequently complained of inadequate funds, particularly for its role in the ISS.

Since the February 1 Columbia space shuttle disaster in which US astronauts died, triggering the suspension by NASA, the US space agency, of its shuttle flights, the burden of servicing the ISS has fallen entirely on Russia.

The Russian finance ministry presented the government with its draft 2004 budget earlier this month.

The draft will be given three readings in parliament before being passed into law before legislative elections scheduled for December.

SPACE.WIRE