August 6 Engelgardt Astronomic Observatory hosted a meeting between Kazan Federal University and Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) where the parties signed a strategic partnership agreement covering numerous areas of research and development.

The document was signed by Oleg Ostapenko, Head of Roscosmos, and Ilshat Gafurov, KFU Rector.

The agreement involves strengthening and improving cooperation in information and analysis, researches, technologies and innovations through the support of perspective projects. The document also provides joint activities required for staff training and skills upgrading.

Under the support of Roscosmos, university experts are to explore the influence of space factors, in particular, space-radiation effect to the genomes of ISS onboard microbes and cosmonauts; they are to develop methods of weightlessness adaptation and rehabilitation.  

KFU and Roscosmos will interact to develop the project of Moon astrometry observatory, study meteorites and space debris. It is expected that Kazan scientists will take part in projects related to laser detection and ranging of space objects and Moon, and creation of very long baseline interferometers.  

KFU, represented by Rector Ilshat Gafurov, also signed a cooperation agreement with the Central Research Institute of Machine Building (TSNIIMASH), represented by Director General Alexander Milkovsky, and adopted a joint plan of strategic development.

Central Research Institute of Machine Building (TSNIIMASH) reporting to Roscosmos runs engineering researches, experimental development and spacecraft study. Roscosmos Mission Control Centre is based at the institute.