Historic space deal between UK and Russia

The UK and Russia have agreed on greater collaboration in space between the two nations. In signing the agreement, UK Space Agency’s Chief Executive, Dr David Williams said: “Space provides governments with the possibility to improve lives across their communities, along with offering novel commercial opportunities,” said Dr Williams. “It is a truly global activity and one where it is right that we should work together”.

The Memorandum of Understanding was concluded recently at the Farnborough Airshow. Head of the Russian Federal Space Agency Anatoly N. Perminov signed for Russia.

“To explore and benefit from space at most we need to cooperate with each other”, noted Mr Perminov. “And that is the very essence of our agreement. I’m sure that the future of space exploration can be guaranteed only by international cooperation”.

The Secretary of State – Deputy Head of Roscosmos Mr. Vitaly Davydov added: “The Memorandum of Understanding clearly indicates the willingness of both Russia and the UK to establish an effective mechanism for mutually beneficial cooperation. Though specific collaborative projects are yet to be defined, we believe that there will be a whole number of joint projects in the nearest future that will be aimed primarily at the application of space technologies in the interests of social and economic development of Russia, UK and Europe in general”.

Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) which has had a long and successful collaboration working with the UK and Moscow offices of Commercial Space Technologies (CST Ltd.) as representative and local partner. “ I hope that the signing of this MOU between UK Space Agency and the Russian Federal Space Agency will bring further commercial benefits to the space activities and space industries of both countries." Professor Sir Martin Sweeting OBE, Executive Chairman of SSTL said.