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Kazakh space agency says Baikonur cosmodrome restructuring needed

Russia's participation in the activities of the Baikonur cosmodrome will decrease significantly after Far Eastern Vostochny cosmodrom is put into operation

ASTANA, June 1. /TASS /. The Baikonur cosmodrome may need restructuring for its preservation, Deputy Chairman of the Aerospace Committee (Kazcosmos) of the Ministry of Investment and Development of Kazakhstan Meirbek Moldabekov told TASS on Monday.

After Russia puts into operation its Far Eastern Vostochny cosmodrome, he said, "Russia's participation in the activities of the Baikonur cosmodrome will decrease significantly." "All federal launches will be carried out from Vostochny, so Baikonur can only rely on Kazakh satellite launches and commercial launches. The latter can only take place if Kazakhstan with its strategic partners invests in the Baikonur cosmodrome with a view to maintaining competitive world market prices for launches," said the deputy head of Kazcosmos.

According to him, this task requires a number of measures which "will possibly result in the cosmodrome restructuring for its preservation and further exploitation of its commercially important small part." According to Moldabekov, Baikonur in its scope and structure "is comparable to three modern foreign spaceports."

The Baikonur complex, which includes the launch site, was founded 60 years ago. On June 2, 1955, by the directive of the General Staff of the USSR Armed Forces, the organisational and staff structure of the Research Test Site No 5 was approved. This day is considered Baikonur’s establishment date.