The Skolkovo Foundation on Tuesday signed a cooperation agreement with United Space Rocket Corporation that will give startups access to Russia’s premier space exploration and development entity.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Open Innovations forum in Moscow by Skolkovo president Viktor Vekselberg and Igor Komarov, the general director of USRC.
“High technology and innovation connects our two branches,” Komarov said in reference to the two organizations. “So it’s no accident that we are cooperating. I’m confident that our collaborative efforts will help accerlate the implementation of space innovations,” he added.
Skolkovo president Viktor Vekselberg, left, and USRC chief Igor Komarov at the signing ceremony. Photo: sk.ru
The news is the latest boost for Skolkovo’s space cluster, which over the summer saw partner company Dauria Aerospace launch the Russia’s first ever private communications satellites into space.
Vekselberg, for his part, noted the “importance and symbolism” of the event.
“The signing is the result a great deal of work in arriving at the same goals and priorities; it’s important to understand that we are speaking the same language,” he added.
Space cluster executive director Alexei Belyakov noted: “Using USRC’s infrastructure, we can develop our projects, and we’re also counting on cooperation to develop technology that USRC is currently working on, including new materials, chemistry, guidance systems and other areas,” he said.
The agreement is just one of dozens involving Skolkovo and its resident companies at the Open Innovations Forum, of which the foundation is a co-organizer.
The forum at the Technopolis in southeast Moscow ends Wednesday.