[FPSPACE] Russian space science missions?

[Dwayne Allen Day]

From:

http://www.flatoday.com/space/explore/stories/2000b/111900b.htm


November 19, 2000
Russia sets priorities for unmanned space missions
Copyright  2000, Interfax News Agency

MOSCOW (Interfax) - There are two priorities for next year's unmanned
space flights, namely the Spectrum-Roentgen-Gamma project and the Integral
satellite, chief of the Russian Aerospace Agency Yuri Koptev said at a
news conference at Government House on Thursday. 

The Spectrum-Roentgen-Gamma project has been developed for more than a
decade by ten European countries, which have produced $300 million worth
of scientific equipment, Koptev said. 

It will be a scientific observatory made up of satellites with which to
study deep space. The telescopes that have been designed for the project
are unique and "make it possible to look deep inside the universe," Koptev
remarked. 

All of the equipment has been brought to Russia, which is working on a
platform for the apparatuses and the launch into orbit, he said. 

Alas, financing for the work has been stopped and the search for funds is
under way in negotiations with European countries, among them France,
Germany and Austria. 

[snipped mention of Integral satellite and contract with ESA]

*********************************

Does anybody know anything more on the Spectrum-Roentgen-Gamma satellite
deal?  Specifically, was the agreement that ESA would provide the
instruments and Russia the spacecraft bus and launch vehicle?

It just hit me that we hardly hear anything about Russian unmanned space
science plans anymore.  Is there anything else in the works?  Planetary
missions would appear to be too costly, but do the Russians have any plans
for observatory missions?



DDAY