On creation of multifunctional space system of Belarus and Russia Union State

Belarus and Russia are going to create multifunctional space system of Union State by 2011, said Valery Menshikov, Deputy General Director of the State Space Science and Production Center named after Khrunichev (Russia) at the round-table discussion during Russian National Exhibition in Minsk.

The works on the system creation began in 1999–2002 in the frame of joint Union programme “KOSMOS-BR”. Now they are being continued in the framework of the programme “KOSMOS-SG” (2004–2007). During the first stage of the programme the stable co-operation of russian and belarusian enterprices in space sphere was established, new directions of the works on creation and development testing of space apparatus model were defined. The tasks of the second stage include development of technological and instrument base for microsatellite of remote Earth probing, creation and testing of ground-based segment of international navigation and information system. 70% of space apparatus functional segments, experimental unit of ground-based segment of international navigation and information system, center of information archiving, cataloging and distribution should be ready by the end of the programme “KOSMOS-SG”.

During the third stage of the programme “KOSMOS-3” (which will start in 2008 and finish in 2011) the process of space station creation will be finalised and this station will be put into operation testing.