Azernews.Az

Russia will begin the process of transferring of the leased Baikonur cosmodrome's assets back to Kazakhstan in near future.

Russia's Izvestia reports that the first company scheduled for transfer to Kazakhstan will more likely be International Space Services. International Space Services leases launch pad for the rocket carrier Zenith in Baikonur, where Israeli satellite AMOS-4 is preparing to be launched.

"We have agreed with the Kazakh party that they will join International Space Services. Now we are discussing how to realize this intension. Among other ways we consider purchasing of Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company's share," deputy director of the International Space Services Michael Gerasev said.

Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company holds 50 percent shares in International Space Services.

"Now we consult our Kazakh partners on maintaining the existing infrastructure. The details are being specified," Gerasev said.

The Baikonur Cosmodrome is the world's first and largest operational space launch facility. It is located in the desert steppe of Kazakhstan. It is leased by the Kazakh government to Russia (currently until 2050) and is managed jointly by the Russian Federal Space Agency and the Russian Space Forces. Under the current Russian space program, Baikonur remains a busy space port, with numerous commercial, military and scientific missions being launched annually.

In early, 2013, Russia and Kazakhstan agreed on new principles of cooperation at Baikonur. The parties agreed on gradual withdrawal of Russia from leased objects and on their joint operation. Moreover, Russia will hold training for Kazakh space specialists.