Russian spacecraft may soon take off from SA

October 07, 2005, 12:15

Russians may soon be launching their spacecraft from South Africa. This announcement was made in Russia after two countries signed the co-operation agreement on science and technology. The two countries held the fifth inter-governmental committee on trade and economic co-operation.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the minister of foreign affairs, says she was pleased with the relations between two countries. Russia and South Africa have a long history dating back to 1999.

But now the focus has moved to an economic level. While a lot still needs to be done in some sectors, major progress has been made in science and technology which has seen the signing of two agreements. One is about co-operation in nuclear research and the other for a student exchange program to launch a joint satellite facility. This will culminate in the signing of an agreement for outer space co-operation next year.

A follow-up meeting will be held in two months.