The Russian government said Friday it will provide public access to previously classified Earth-sensing data received from domestic and foreign satellites.

"The Earth-sensing data received from civilian domestic and foreign satellites are no longer considered state secrets and it will be open to public access in line with the Russian legislation," the government said in a statement posted on its legal database portal.

The draft of the regulation was published earlier this year, in August.

At that time, the explanatory note to the document said the declassification of Earth-sensing satellite data would greatly expand the possibilities of its use in the interests OF Russian economy and business, as well as improve the quality of life for Russian citizens.

According to the note, it would also create growth prospects for the Russian geospatial intelligence services market.