Russia will use French Guiana station for Soyuz launchings

Russia and France will sign an agreement next week for launchings of the Russian space station Soyuz from the Kourou Space Center in French Guiana. As reported today by the Department of Government Information, the announcement came from Boris Aleshin, deputy chief of administration, after his meeting with Philippe Busquin, a commissioner of the European Commission. He said Russian companies taking part in the undertaking would earn approximately USD 1 billion over the course of 5-6 years.

Aleshin also did not exclude the possibility of the signing of an agreement with India before the end of the year for the delivery of an airplane-equipped cruiser. 'The negotiations are going all right. The deal has not yet been signed, but the talks are shaping up well,' the vice premier said.