The Philippine Embassy in Moscow said that the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) finalized on August 27 a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Russia’s State Corporation for Space Activities (Roscosmos) on cooperation on the peaceful use and exploration of outer space.
The agreement aims to promote capacity building in astrophysical research, remote sensing, satellite development and communications. The MOU will be signed immediately after undergoing diplomatic procedures.
In a meeting at the Roscosmos headquarters in Moscow, both sides also agreed to proceed with negotiations of an intergovernmental framework agreement on space cooperation that will include use of Russian rockets to launch Philippine payloads such as micro- and nano-satellites, as well as the establishment of a receiving station for the Global Navigation Satellite System.
“The DOST adheres to the President’s policy of engaging non-traditional partners in ways that can be advantageous to the Philippines. Russia’s space program speaks for itself and the Philippines will certainly benefit from cooperation in this field,” DOST undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara said.
Roscosmos is one of the major partners in the International Space Station. They use a family of rockets for launches including the famous R-7 or Soyuz rocket capable of launching 7.5 tons into low Earth orbit.
Roscosmos also cooperates with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the European Space Agency, and the Japanese Aerospace and Exploration Agency.
