The partnership between Astrium and JSC NC Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary (KGS), the national company charged with the development of Kazakhstan’s space program, has reached another major milestone with the signature of a contract for two Earth observation satellites as well as the foundation documents to create a Joint Venture for the construction of an Assembly, Integration and Test Facility in Astana.

Astrium will build two Earth observation satellites for the Republic of Kazakhstan. Plus, this contract follows the decision of the Republic of Kazakhstan in selecting Astrium and France as strategic partners for the development of its space activities. Astrium and KGS signed the two agreements during the State visit of the French President, Mr. Sarkozy, to Mr. Nazarbaev, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, on the 5th and 6th October.