Russia, Europe ink Mars probe project agreementMarch 14, 2013 - 19:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia's space agency Roscosmos and the European Space Agency (ESA) signed a final agreement on Thursday, March 14 giving the green light to the ExoMars project to send unmanned probes to Mars, Roscosmos spokesperson Anna Vedishcheva said, according to RIA Novosti. The agreement, which gives both agencies an equal share in the project, was signed by Roscosmos head Vladimir Popovkin and ESA boss Jean-Jacques Dordain. The ExoMars project will launch an orbital probe to Mars, followed by the landing on the Martian surface of a lander module in 2016. A Martian "rover" probe will be launched in 2018 to explore the surface of the planet, the ESA says. “Roscosmos will provide Proton carrier rockets, Briz-M boosters and relevant launch services for both missions,” Vedishcheva said. ExoMars was initially supposed to have been a joint ESA and NASA project, but the US space agency pulled out from the deal and said it would not provide its Atlas carrier for the missions. Russia has repeatedly expressed its desire to join the project, offering to provide Proton carrier rockets for the launches and scientific equipment in exchange for full membership. ESA's management board approved the project on November 19 and Popovkin and Dordain were due to sign the agreement on November 27 last year, but the Russians were not satisfied with its final text at that time. The French Foreign Ministry proposed a series of amendments to “balance” the text out. The final version of the document stipulates that Russian scientists and engineers will be part of all the teams working on different aspects of the projects and will have full access to research data, Roscosmos said. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Mirzoyan says meeting with Bayramov was “constructive” At the moment, Ararat Mirzoyan said, there is no basis for additional comments. OSCE vows support for Armenia “in all three directions of security” Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. 151 detained as civil disobedience campaigns continue in Yerevan Citizens have been blocking streets in the Armenian capital, demanding Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation. France welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan meeting in Almaty France has welcomed the new round of negotiations between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. |