11:50 30.09.2013

Yanukovych approves national space program for 2013-2017

2 min read
Yanukovych approves national space program for 2013-2017

Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has signed a law on the approval of a national targeted scientific and engineering space program for 2013-2017, which was passed by the parliament on September 5, according to the president's Web site.

The key projects of the national space program for 2013-2017 include: the establishment of geoinformation support and monitoring of emergency situations with the use of space information; the launch of three satellites (the Sich-2-1 Earth remote sensing satellite, the Microsat research and engineering satellite, and the UMS-1 university-developed satellite); the creation of the Cyclone-4 space rocket complex at the Alcantara Launch Center (Brazil); the promotion of the Lybid national satellite communications system; the creation of advanced rockets and satellites and development of their manufacturing technology; the promotion of the commercial operation of launch vehicles: Cyclone-4, Zenit 2SLB, Zenit 3SLB (the Land Launch), Zenit 3SL (the Sea Launch), Dnepr and the Lybid national satellite communications system. The program also envisages the development of international cooperation with Russia, the EU, Brazil, Canada, Belarus, the United States, Kazakhstan, and the expansion of cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA).

The program also regulates the guaranteed and rapid provision of satellite communications, data broadcasting and timing, and navigation support services for the executive agencies that implement state policy in the sphere of national security and defense. Other activities stipulated in the program include the dissemination of information gathered by remote sensing satellites; basic space research in astrophysics, space biology and material science; the involvement of existing space infrastructure in international scientific research, and the implementation of scientific and educational programs.

The approximate total funding under the program is UAH 2.58 billion, including UAH 1.12 billion from the national budget.

The 2013-2017 program is the fifth space program of independent Ukraine, and serves as the first stage of the fulfillment of governmental documents that are important for the further development of the space sector: the concept of state policy in the sector for the period of until 2032 and an action plan for its implementation.

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