Iran, Russia sign space cooperation document

Kish, IRNA – Iran, and Russia signed a cooperation document on the space industry on Wednesday. The document was inked on the sidelines of Iran Airshow 2022 in Kish Island, southern Iran, in presence of the heads of space agencies of both Iran and Russia. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Head of the Iranian Space Agency Hassan Salariyeh said that the document included cooperation on a wide range of issues, including the construction of remote-sensing and communication satellites, creating laboratory infrastructure, assembling, launching bases and satellite tests. He said that this agreement came as a result of months of negotiations with the Russian Space Agency with the aim of enhancement of communications in both Iran and Russia. Noting that Iran began its space industry 20 years ago, Salariyeh said that the country has now achieved significant achievements. He believed that the agreement could help Iran reach the goals of its 10-year vision plan in space industry in a more speedy way. Russian Space Agency chief Yury Borisov said for his part that Iran is not a new ally for Russia and the two countries have been cooperating on space industry since 2002. He said that Iran’s plans to develop its space industry covers all space areas and Russia will help Iran in this regard. Sending astronauts to the Russian space station is among the mutual plans of both countries, the Russian official said, adding that Iran’s success in launching a satellite in 2009 put the country among the nine world countries possessing this technology. He said that Iran also sent a spacecraft carrying a monkey into space in 2012 to become a member of the six-member club having the technology to do so. The 11th edition of Iran Airshow kicked off on Tuesday and will run until December 16. Some 90 companies from Iran, Russia, China and other countries are present in the event. Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish