Posted: Sat, Jan 11, 2003, 1:16 PM ET (1816 GMT)
The European Space Agency and Rosaviakosmos are close to an agreement that would permit Soyuz launches from Kourou, French Guiana, AFP reported Friday. The agreement, in the works since last year, would permit launches of Soyuz boosters from a modified launch pad at Kourou. Reports last year indicated that the Soyuz launched from Kourou would be used primarily for non-geosynchronous payloads, with no plans to launch manned Soyuz spacecraft from Kourou. The deal may also allow Russia to partner with Europe on the development of technologies for future reusable launch vehicles. A sticking point in the negotiations has been finding the 250-300 million euros needed to develop the Soyuz launch facilities at Kourou; the AFP report said that France has proposed loaning the funds, which would be paid back from the profits generated from the launches. ESA officials told AFP the deal could be signed as early as April. An ESA press release earlier this month, listing events for the coming year, including a listing in April for a signing ceremony and another in May for a ceremony marking the beginning of work on the Soyuz launch facility in Kourou.

Related Links:

•  AFP article
•  ESA press release