Friday, May 30, 2008

Ukraine, Germany Space Agencies sign cooperation agreement

The National Space Agency of Ukraine and Germany's space agency DLR have concluded an agreement on cooperation in outer space industry.

The agreement was signed in the presence of National Space Agency Director General Yuriy Alekseev and DLR CEO Johann-Dietrich Worner within the framework of the ILA-2008 International Aerospace Exhibition in Berlin.

The framework agreement provides for cooperation between the two countries' space agencies in the areas of astrophysics and Sun system study; monitoring and study of changes of climate and environment; exploration of weightlessness; control of orbital and suborbital platforms and appropriate space vehicles for observance of Earth surface; development of technologies and outer space platforms; effective load; devices and service systems; use of outer space infrastructure and working capacities; space law; management and training of experts; exchange and use of space data; surface training; and measuring from the air.

The National Space Agency of Ukraine was created in 1992 for implementation of goal-oriented government policy in the outer space industry. It unites about 40 branch enterprises and organizations.

DLR incorporates 28 research institutes, its annual budget being EUR 450 million.