The Post Chronicle: Russia, EU Set To Implement Ambitious Space Programs

Russian 6 person Kliper Space Module(left)
and Europe's Ariane 5 Space Vehicle
For the complete report in the The Post Chronicle click on this link

Russia, EU Set To Implement Ambitious Space Programs

MOSCOW -- Russia and the European Union have made considerable headway in the field of space exploration over the last few years. Work is proceeding apace to build a launch facility for Russia's Soyuz-2 rockets at the Kourou space center in French Guiana. Project Volga, which involves seven agencies, including three Russian ones, is another example of fruitful cooperation between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Russia. Notably, as part of this project, the Keldysh Center is developing a reusable rocket engine which may usher in a new era of space exploration. The ESA will finance the lion's share of this project, which will require an estimated one billion euros to complete. This summer, Russia and the EU agreed to jointly develop an advanced manned transport system based on the revamped Soyuz and Progress spacecraft and the new-generation Kliper reusable shuttle.

This transport system will require a new elements base and digital flight-control systems. The new Soyuz will eventually fly to the International Space Station (ISS) and the Moon and will reenter the terrestrial atmosphere at 25,000 miles per hour. There are plans to upgrade the Soyuz spacecraft by 2010. The EU has supported Russian proposals to launch revamped Soyuz rockets from the Kourou space center as well as from Baikonur.