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Putin visits Soyuz launch complex construction site in Far East

Vostochny space centre will be used to carry out programmes of manned space missions, launch space vehicles of various purposes for state, international and commercial programmes

UGLEGORSK, Amur Region, April 12 (Itar-Tass) - Russian President Vladimir Putin on his Far Eastern trip has visited the Vostochny cosmodrome construction site. The president saw the construction of the Soyuz-2 launch complex.

Roscosmos head Vladimir Popovkin was a guide for the president on the excursion. Popovkin told the president that the construction work was suspended for two months in the winter due to the weather conditions, but there are no problems with the schedule at present, he said.

"There are no problems by and large. All the contracts are concluded," the Roscosmos head added.

At present, 3,000 people work at the site, and 10,000-15,000 are expected to be employed there later.

The infrastructure for a whole new city is being developed around the spaceport.

The construction work is underway at the site of Svobodny cosmodrome and the Uglegorsk company. The reserved area occupies about 1,035 sq km.

Baikonur spaceport occupies 6,717 sq km, and Plesetsk has 1,762 sq km.

Nine technical and other grounds are planned to be built at the site by 2015.

Putin saw boards showing timetables and stages of the space centre development.

Vostochny (Eastern) space centre will be used to carry out programmes of manned space missions, launch space vehicles of various purposes for state, international and commercial programmes and create conditions to implement large-scale space projects for deeper space research and exploration.

After visiting the construction site, the president headed for the construction headquarters for a video session with the International Space Station.

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