Baikonur's «Zenit» launch complex goes to Kazakhstan

ISS has leased starting position for "Zenit" carrier in Baikonur which is now being prepared to launch rockets with AMOS-4 Israeli satellite, izvestia.ru / news informs.

"We have agreed with the Kazakh side that they will join the ISS. We have solved the issue of how to carry out all this. The company has to receive investment capital and be able to invest it for purchasing the material part. Additionally we discuss buying UMMC's stake. Now we are consulting the Kazakh partners on maintenance and support of existing infrastructure'', Michael Gerasev, ISS director, told "Izvestia".

ISS was created specifically for "Land Launch" project , which was established as an addition to "Sea Launch". In the early 2000s "Sea Launch" shareholders decided that satellites to 4,5 tons are easier to be run via "Zenit" not from sea launch platform, but from Baikonur.

Russian and Kazakhstani Heads of state in February the current year agreed on new principles of relations concerning the use of Baikonur. On the proposal of Kazakhstan the Russian Federation has agreed to review the lease agreement for "Baikonur" complex, which was signed through 2050.

On July 10, Talgat Musabayev, head of Kazkosmos, Vladimir Popovkin, leader of Roscosmos, and Yuriy Alekseev, chairman of the National Space Agency of Ukraine have endorsed a joint protocol on the use of "Zenith" missiles within "Baiterek" project which provides for Kazakhstan its own launch pad.

17% share capital of ISS is owned by "Energia" Rocket and Space Corporation. Vitaly Lopota, president of the company, told "Izvestia" that "Energy" was ready to sell its shares, to Kazakhstan as well.