. 24/7 Space News .
Russia And Europe Sign Space Agreement

The first launch of a Russian Soyuz craft, which also service the International Space Station, from French Guiana is tentatively scheduled for 2007, Dordain said.
Moscow (AFP) Jan 19, 2005
Russia and the European Space Agency (ESA) signed an agreement Wednesday allowing Russia to use ESA's sites for space launches and allowing the two sides to freely exchange research and development information.

The agreement was signed here by ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and Russian Space Agency chief Anatoly Perminov. Both sides hailed the accord as a great achievement that required four years of tough talks.

The European side will allow Russia to conduct space launches from its space center in Kourou, French Guiana.

"The project for launching Soyuz from Kourou is only a part of a grand project that leads the way to many others," the Russian space chief said at the signing ceremony.

They also signed a launcher agreement in which the two will share information on designing new launchers and fuels, information that was once closely guarded by both sides.

"This agreement opens the door for joint development of new launchers," Dordain said.

He said the two sides are studying the option of developing new reusable launchers and brand new propulsion systems.

Russia conducted the majority of space launches last year, according to Russian officials, carrying out 42.6 percent of launches compared to 29.6 percent by the United States, 14.8 by China and just 5.6 percent by the ESA itself, ahead of India's 1.9 percent share.

The first launch of a Russian Soyuz craft, which also service the International Space Station, from French Guiana is tentatively scheduled for 2007, Dordain said.

All rights reserved. � 2004 Agence France-Presse. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by Agence France-Presse. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presse.

Related Links
SpaceDaily
Search SpaceDaily
Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express



Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly


paypal only














The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.