New Launch Pad For Russia At EU's ESA Site

The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Russian Federal Space Agency (ROSCOSMOS) are building a launch pad for Russia's Soyuz-2 rockets at the ESA's Kourou space center in French Guiana.

According to an article published by RIA Novosti, the agencies are calling the estimated $1.3 billion program Project Volga, and it's an ambitious joint venture that will eventually involve seven different agencies in a wide-ranging partnership between Russia and the European Union.

In part, the agreement includes development next summer, with help from Russia's Keldysh Center, of a new reusable rocket engine. After that comes work on a manned transport system based on the Soyuz, Progress and new-generation reusable Kliper shuttle system.

Much like the US Shuttle Transport System (STS), Russia's Kliper will move men and equipment to and from earth orbit. Eighty percent of the Kliper's components and ninety-five percent of its descent module are reusable and ROSCOSMOS estimates turnaround time to be 5 - 6 months. The Kliper has a planned life-span of 25 missions.

Work on the facilities in French Guiana will eventually include all the infrastructure -- launch, repair, assembly and training-- necessary to support the entire manned transport system.

Plans include a Soyuz upgrade by 2010 that will allow that craft to reach one of ROSCOSMOS's ultimate goals, the earth's moon. Upgrades will also allow the craft to reenter earth's atmosphere at 25,000 mph.

ROSCOSMOS and ESA collaboration isn't new, Russia already provides specialists to develop and supply docking modules, refueling systems, control systems and other key elements for the ESA's Automated Transfer System (ATV), their space resupply program. The two agencies are looking at ways to incorporate the ATV into plans for the new manned transport system.

But while collaboration between the agencies isn't new, this latest development seems to show a keener interest in the partnership on the part of the ESA -- especially since they will be footing the major portion of the construction bill for the Kourou space center upgrades.

FMI: www.roscosmos.ru, www.esa.int