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U.S., Russia Sign Agreement on Satellite Project |
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WASHINGTON, March 27, 2006/Satnews Daily/ — The United States and the Russian Federation have signed an Agreement on Technology Safeguards associated with the activities under the "Sea Launch" Project.
Officials said the agreement sets the framework for the protection of Russia as well as U.S. intellectual property within the Sea Launch project.
A U.S. Department statement said conclusion of the agreement highlights the American’s ongoing bilateral partnership in this successful commercial endeavor and will facilitate Russian participation. It increases the potential for enhanced Russian participation and cooperation more generally in the sphere of commercial use of outer space for peaceful purposes.
The Sea Launch Project is a Boeing-led consortium with companies from Russia, Ukraine and Norway that provides commercial launch services for U.S. and foreign satellite payloads from a launch platform in international waters of the Pacific Ocean. Operational launches began in 1999. To date, Sea Launch has completed 19 launches.
Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Robert Joseph signed for the U.S.; Ambassador Yuriy Ushakov signed on behalf of the Russian Federation.
The statement added the agreement benefits all Sea Launch partners and will increase services available to clients. As such, it underlines the positive outcome of international technical and programmatic collaboration.
Sea Launch, created in 1996, is a limited liability corporation with headquarters and Home Port facilities in Long Beach, Calif. The company is owned by Boeing of Seattle, Wash. (40%); RSC-Energia of Moscow, Russia (25%); Kvaerner ASA of Oslo, Norway (20%); and SDO Yuzhnoye/PO Yuzhmash of Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine (15%). Financing for the venture is provided by these companies and through debt financing arranged by Chase Manhattan Bank in New York.
Today Sea Launch is considered one of the most reliable provider of satellite launch services via the Boeing Launch Services company using Russian Zenit carrier rockets.
Sea Launch Delivers EchoStar X Satellite to Orbit Sea Launch Scrubs EchoStar X Sunday Launch Hughes Awards Spaceway 3 Launch Contract to Sea Launch Company |
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