The UK Space Agency and the National Space Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan (KAZCOSMOS) have signed an agreement outlining cooperation in the area of space activities.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Dr David Parker, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, and Dr. Talgat Mussabayev, Chairman of the National Space Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan, at the DMC and NovaSAR International Conference in London.

Proposed collaborative projects include:

+ Training of Kazakhstan personnel in the field of satellite engineering and operations

+ Facilitating collaboration between UK space company SSTL and organisations within the joint stock company Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary (KGS) in the area of space projects for space science, technology demonstration, communication, navigation and Earth observation.

+ Facilitating discussions between KGS and SSTL in relation to ongoing space projects in each organisation.

David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, said, "This agreement will see the UK and Kazakhstan working together on space activities with high growth potential, such as communications, navigation and Earth observation. It will foster innovation and encourage greater exchange of information and technology between our countries."