Kazakhstan to continue space cooperation with Russia at Baikonur even beyond 2050: KazKosmos National Space Agency 12 апреля 2013, 17:09

Baikonur cosmodrome. RIA Novosti ©

Kazakhstan will continue its mutually beneficial space cooperation with Russia at the Baikonur cosmodrome beyond 2050, KazTag Agency reports, citing reps of KazKosmos Space Agency. “The Russian side has repeatedly stated at different levels that it has no intention of leaving Baikonur before 2050. We are confident Kazakhstan will continue its mutually beneficial space cooperation with Russia at Baikonur even beyond 2050”, the Space Agency’s statement reads. The Agency officials elaborated that Russia's early leaving Baikonur is out of question. The lease agreement signed between the two presidents is valid until 2050. “The two national space agencies have been tasked with drafting a comprehensive bilateral agreement on joint use of the cosmodrome, development of its science and technical potential, creation of joint rocket complexes, training of and further participation of Kazakhstan’s specialists in launch-related services”, according to KazKosmos. Tengrinews.kz reported earlier, citing Russia’s Izvestia, that Russia may bring its operations at the Baikonur cosmodrome close to zero as early as by 2020. “Given the tensions over Baikonur in late 2012, Russia’s Roskosmos National Space Agency has submitted suggestions on formulating a new Federal Program to develop cosmodromes in 2016-2025”, the article published April 8 reads. According to Roskosmos, along the crisis scenario, Baikonur infrastructure will only be supported after 2021 to accommodate individual launches. The scenario envisages that “after 2020 there might be legal, organizational and social conditions, wherein operation of launches from Baikonur will be hardly possible”. “Higher pace of developing infrastructure at the Russian Vostochny cosmodrome is the major feature differing the crisis scenario from the basic one. Additional investments are also expected to be channeled to Plesetks cosmodrome”, according to Izvestia. “The basic scenario can be unfolded against the backdrop of friendly relations between Kazakhstan and Russia, with the latter investing into development of infrastructure at Baikonur. In this case the launch complex for Zenith carrier rockets will be refurbished to accommodate trial unmanned launches of the new manned ship currently designed by S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia”, the articles elaborates. The basic scenario envisages opportunities for international programs from Baikonur in partnership with Kazakhstan.

• space
• Russia
• news
• Kazakhstan
• Kazakh
• Baikonur