Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Nov 5, 2005 5:59:45 GMT -6
Kazakhstan Will Not Lower Rent For Baikonur Space Center
Kazakhstan does not plan to lower the rent it is charging Russia for the Baikonur space center, the head of Kazakh company Kazkosmos said Tuesday, reports RIA Novosti.
Baikonur is the world's largest space launch facility and plays an important role in the International Space Station project. The Russian Federal Space Agency plans to launch the Venus Express orbiter from the space center by November 25.
"The leasing rate of Baikonur is in fact $350 million per year. Since Kazakhstan is on friendly terms with Russia, we agreed to lease it for $115 million," Serik Turzhanov said.
According to Turzhanov, the center is now worth $23 billion.
Kazakhstan intends to work with Russia on Baikonur. In particular, an agreement has been reached with Russian companies through which Kazakh specialists will take part in building space vehicles at the center, Turzhanov said.
"Russia will benefit from this since it will save $3-5 million on each space vehicle," he said.
More here: www.physorg.com/news7828.html
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Oh boy...The Landlord is crabby...
