KYIV. June 16 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Dnipropetrovsk-based state-run Pivdenne design bureau is in talks with European companies on the development of partnerships, and has linked the scale of the presence of Ukrainian rocket and space enterprises on the EU market with Ukraine’s membership of the European Space Agency.
Speaking about potential cooperation with the EU, Director General of Pivdenne design bureau Oleksandr Dehtiariov said that there are limits on the participation of the Ukrainian rocket and space sector in European space projects.
“The participation of the ESA’s non-member states in European space projects is strictly limited by a number of European rules and restrictions,” he said.
As Dehtiariov explained, Pivdenne design bureau has managed to establish cooperation with EU countries mainly in two areas: production and maintenance of upper-stage engine of a new European light-class Vega launch vehicle (LV), as well as joint research projects within EU framework programs. In particular, he said Pivdenne design bureau currently participates in EU research initiatives, including the creation of new types of thermal protection for reusable space vehicles; development of new methods of disposal of debris; exploration of new structural materials based on carbon fiber.
Dehtiariov said the bureau is not satisfied with what has already been achieved: the company is holding talks with private European companies on possible cooperation in new promising directions. Among them is the creation of engines for re-usable space vehicles, the creation of a small platform-carrier for nano satellites, and orbit-to-orbit space service studies, he said.
“The prospects of cooperation with European partners in the creation of the newest complex for production of elements of space vehicles and rockets from carbon-phenolic materials for Ukraine and the development of cooperation in 3D printing area should be pointed separately,” he said.
Among the promising and mutually profitable directions of cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in the rocket and space sector, which Pivdenne design bureau is ready to offer, are the design and production of oxygen-kerosene engines for promising European vehicle carriers, production of their elements in Ukraine at competitive prices and the designing of platforms of small spacecraft for scientific, technological and Earth remote sensing missions, Dehtiariov said.
“However, the participation of Ukraine in European space projects mainly depends on Ukraine’s joining the European Space Agency,” he said.
