France, Russia sign deal for Soyuz launches from Kourou
Posted: Mon, Nov 10, 2003, 1:59 PM ET (1859 GMT)
French and Russian officials signed an agreement Friday to allow the launch of Russian-built Soyuz rockets from the French launch site in Kourou, French Guiana. The agreement, announced months ago but not officially completed until Friday, was signed by Deputy Prime Minister Boris Alyoshin and Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin during a visit by Russian leaders, including President Vladimir Putin, to Paris. The agreement allows the use of Soyuz rockets from Kourou starting in 2006. Europe will spend over $300 million to build a Soyuz launch pad there, with the French government paying half the costs and other ESA member states paying the other half. The Soyuz is expected to handle smaller payloads that had previously been carried by the Ariane 4 booster, which was retired earlier this year.
French and Russian officials signed an agreement Friday to allow the launch of Russian-built Soyuz rockets from the French launch site in Kourou, French Guiana. The agreement, announced months ago but not officially completed until Friday, was signed by Deputy Prime Minister Boris Alyoshin and Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin during a visit by Russian leaders, including President Vladimir Putin, to Paris. The agreement allows the use of Soyuz rockets from Kourou starting in 2006. Europe will spend over $300 million to build a Soyuz launch pad there, with the French government paying half the costs and other ESA member states paying the other half. The Soyuz is expected to handle smaller payloads that had previously been carried by the Ariane 4 booster, which was retired earlier this year.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Monday, September 28
An endangered wild cat faces a new threat: SpaceX’s expansion in Texas
NBCNews.com — 4:43 am ET (0843 GMT) FAA Clears SpaceX For Starship 14 Flight
Aviation Week — 4:41 am ET (0841 GMT) SpaceX sends Starship into orbit
The Economist — 4:40 am ET (0840 GMT) SpaceX prepares to send Starship rocket to orbit for first time
CNBC — 4:40 am ET (0840 GMT) Orbital Shift: India's space sector undergoing biggest transformation
The Economic Times (India) — 4:38 am ET (0838 GMT) |
