Kazakhstan against running of belarusian space satellite

• 28.05.2012, 10:24

Kazakhstan does not permit the fall of the first stage of "Soyuz" mother missile in its territory.

Thus, three missiles may not fly into space. These missiles have to launch six satellites, including four from Belarus, Canada, Germany and the European Union each. Belarusian spacecraft (BelKA) was to have been launched in June.

The peculiarity of "Soyuz" launches is that their stages will fall in the territory of Kustanaiskaya and Aktubinkaya regions of Kazakhstan, which requires a special permit. However, the Kazakh side is still ponding on the issue. Thus, residents of Kustanai complain that "Soyuz" mother missile kills herds of antelopes. The results of examination will be known only in two weeks, reports RBC-TV.

Meanwhile, scientific director of the Space Policy Institute, Ivan Moiseyev, believes that Astana simply extorts money in such a way.

"The reasons are always the same. An additional charge is needed. They initiate this long process of negotiations as soon as there is any situation, not explicitly provided by a lease agreement. Requests for payment are very high; we, surely, can’t agree; as a result everyone suffers - either Kazakhstan, or we along with our partners," he said.

The launch of BelKA, has been repeatedly delayed for different reasons. At the moment the machine is fully assembled; its systems are currently being tested. The first launch of the Belarusian spacecraft failed - the satellite didn’t even reach the orbit.