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Russia, Italy to create joint space-based Earth observing system

The memorandum envisages technical analysis of a possibility of the establishment and use of a new space-based Earth observing radar system on the geosynchronous orbit (GEOSAR)

ST. PETERSBURG, June 17. /TASS/. Russia and Italy have signed a memorandum on cooperation in the area of remote Earth sensing, the press service of the Russian state space corporation Roscosmos said on Friday.

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The memorandum, which envisages technical analysis of a possibility of the establishment and use of a new space-based Earth observing radar system on the geosynchronous orbit (GEOSAR), was signed by Roscosmos Director General Igor Komarov and President of the Italian Space Agency Roberto Battiston as part of talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

"The new system will be created with the help of representatives of Russian and Italian research and production organizations. It can be used to receive information for the purposes of monitoring natural calamities and emergencies, agriculture, nature development and hydrometeorology," Roscosmos said.

Roscosmos and the Italian Space Agency will involve scientists and businessmen of the two countries and will set up a joint working group to outline a preliminary design of the GEOSAR system, including its architecture, deadlines and estimates, and will distribute duties and liabilities among the participants in the joint activities, the press service said.

The sides also agreed to look at a possible use of the existing remote Earth sensing structures in Russia and Italy to exchange data, Roscosmos added.

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