Popovkin was born in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on September 25, 1957.

In 2011-2013 he was head of the Russian Federal Space Agency.

Before the appointment Popovkin was Russia’s first deputy defense minister.

Earlier, he was chief of armament of Russia’s Armed Forces, Russia’s deputy defense minister (2008-2010), Russian Space Forces commander (2004-2008) and chief of staff, first deputy commander of Russian Space Forces (2001-2204).