posted 10-10-2013 06:45 PM               

Ostapenko, who up until his new assignment was Russia's deputy defense minister, replaces Vladimir Popovkin, who is leaving after his attempts to turn around a space industry plagued by launch failures had little success.

Medvedev made clear he has high expectations for Ostapenko.

"I hope that a whole number of problems, which unfortunately have lately been observed in Roscosmos activities, will be overcome with your arrival," Medvedev said in a meeting with Ostapenko, a transcript of which was posted on the Russian Cabinet's website. "I hope that all launches, including future ones, will be carried out in accordance with plans."