(Source: Space Fellowship)

Collaborations between UK and Russian space scientists and engineers could be on the horizon following a visit to the Science and Technology Facilities Council's (STFC's) Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, by the Russian Federal State Unitary Enterprise 'Centre for Ground-Based Space Infrastructure' (TsENKI) and representatives of the Russian Space Agency, Roscosmos.

The seven strong delegation visited the Oxfordshire laboratory on Wednesday 9 December which helped to build relationships with some of the UK's leading research organisations. The visit was initiated under the scope of a 'Memorandum of Understanding' (MOU) signed by TsENKI and the STFC to enhance the capabilities of UK and Russian space research through the exchange and co-operation with 'centres of excellence'. It closely follows the announcement in July by Lord Drayson, the Minister of State for Science and Innovation that the European Space Agency (ESA) is to establish a facility at Harwell - a first for the UK.