Russia's Interior Ministry plans to use space technology to fight crime

Russia's Interior Ministry plans to use space technology to fight crime in the country, RF Interior Minister Boris Gryzlov told journalists during his Saturday visit to Energia aerospace corporation in the town of Korolev in Moscow region.

"The Interior Ministry hopes to use Yamal space platform, which will be launched in November, in order to fight successfully against criminal activities," he said.

According to the RF Interior Minister, the Yamal system allows to monitor illegal use of oil pipelines beyond Russian borders and track the flow of contraband and illegal immigrants.

Besides the Energia corporation, Mr. Gryzlov visited the Mission Control Center, which is also located in Korolev.

In the Mission Control Center the minister communicated with the crew of ISS Expedition 8. The launch of Soyuz spacecraft carrying the crew was successfully conducted earlier on Saturday from the Baikonur space center.

"It's my first visit to the Mission Control Center and I am happy that I got a chance to 'talk to space.' It is a memorable event for me," Mr. Gryzlov said.