Senate reviewed Kazakh-Russian Agreement on Baiterek Space Complex
At an expanded meeting of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Defense and Security, the draft Law “On the ratification of the Protocol on Amendments and Additions to the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of the Russian Federation on the Creation of the Baiterek Space Complex dated 22 December 2004" was reviewed, the Senate press service reports.
The draft Law provides for updating the basic conditions for the creation and joint use of the Baiterek Space Complex for launching spacecraft and the distribution of the funds to carry out the project between the Kazakh and Russian sides.
The Protocol sets forth the replacement of the launch vehicle in the project (from the Angara launch vehicle to a promising Russian medium-class launch vehicle), as well as the construction site within the Zenit-M space rocket complex, which is being withdrawn from the rent of Baikonur Cosmodrome; the distribution of financing for the components of the space rocket complex between the parties, according to which the Russian side provides financing for the creation of a launch vehicle and means of transportation of its components, modernization of technical complexes of the upper stage, spacecraft and space head, and the Kazakhstan side provides financing for the reconstruction and modernization of the existing ground infrastructure of the Zenit-M Space Complex, creation of training means so as the staff could use launch and technical systems; the start date for flight tests of the Baiterek Space Complex with a medium-class launch vehicle in 2022, which was not previously determined by the Agreement, and whatnot.
In his report, Talgat Mussabayev, a member of the Committee on Foreign Relations, Defense and Security, noted that the creation of the Baiterek Space Complex would allow Kazakhstan to become a State carrying out launch activities using its own ground-based space infrastructure facilities, and achieve a positive social effect, such as the opening of new workplaces.
“There will be the possibility of forming a Centre for training qualified personnel in the field of space activities in the confines of Baikonur Cosmodrome,” Talgat Mussabayev said.
