Russia names new space chief after launch mishaps 10 Oct, 2013 02:25 PM Quick Read AP MOSCOW (AP) The Kremlin has replaced Russia's space chief following a series of launch failures that dented the nation's prestige. Deputy Defense Minister Oleg Ostapenko was named Thursday to replace Vladimir Popovkin as the head of the federal space agency Roscosmos. Popovkin had long pledged to improve manufacturing standards and quality checks, but he has struggled to deliver. The latest mishap occurred in July, when a Proton-M booster rocket carrying three navigation satellites burst into flames and crashed on live TV seconds after its launch. The failure was tracked to a flaw in the assembly line process involving a poorly qualified worker.