KYIV. Aug 13 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ukrainian government and European Space Agency (ESA) are preparing the agreement “On Ukraine’s acquiring the status of a European country cooperating with ESA,” which is a stage of realization of Kyiv’s plans for becoming a full member in European space structures.
According to the Cabinet of Ministers’ resolution No. 803-r as of August 5, Ukrainian government’s delegation, which is being formed and will be lead by Head of the State Space Agency of Ukraine Oleh Ursky, was ordered to conduct talks with ESA on agreeing on the draft of this agreement, in accordance with approved directives.
As approved by the document, the delegation consists of representatives of the State Space Agency, Justice Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Economic Development and Trade Ministry, Finance Ministry, government’s secretariat. If needed, the delegation head can replace delegation members and involve representatives of central government agencies in its work.
Signing of the above-mentioned agreement is one of Ukrainian Space Agency’s top priority tasks for Ukraine’s rocket-and-space industry in 2015. This is one of the stages of the roadmap of Ukraine’s integration into ESA developed by the partners.
Ukrainian rocket-and-space industry representatives believe that Ukraine’s membership in ESA will extend the country’s presence on European space market.
In July, Ukrainian State Space Agency and ESA started consultations on the cooperation of Ukrainian rocket-and-space industry enterprises with European companies within the ESA projects. Major prospect directions of bilateral cooperation at the given stage, which are being considered, include Earth’s remote sensing (ERS), rocket carriers, and scientific research. Earlier Ukraine stated its interest in the participation in the new European project of Ariane-6 rocket carrier. Europeans also showed interest in Ukrainian rocket engines. New European Vega-class, rocket carrier created upon the order of ESA is equipped with Ukrainian engine.
In 2008, Ukrainian government and ESA signed inter-governmental agreement on cooperation in researching and using space for peaceful purposes. At the beginning of 2014, the agreement was prolonged until 2019.
