Far East could host new space centre

Russia's new civilian cosmodrome may be built in the far east of the country. First Deputy Prime Minister Sergey Ivanov said the Amur Region had a good chance of housing the facility.

Speaking at the launch of the new Sukhoi Superjet-100 passenger jet, Mr Ivanov said the final decision on the location of the space site had yet to be made.

But in a statement that will encourage residents of Amur, he added that the Government is aiming to create a high-tech industry in the Far East.
 
At the moment Russia rents the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

The new one will be the first centre for manned missions to be located on Russian territory.

According to Ivanov, it could be built by 2011.