posted 11-21-2005 04:39 PM               

Last of Russia's Space Communications Fleet Destined for Scrap

The last ship of Russia's maritime space fleet could be auctioned off. The floating centres tracked the work of orbital craft and were the pride of Russian science. But now they are gradually turning into scrap metal. Marina Naumova reports from Kaliningrad Region.

[Correspondent, over video of metal boxes being hurled onto a lorry; vessel Kosmonaut Georgiy Dobrovolskiy moored at quay] The disassembled parts of space communications apparatus are being thrown into these crates from the scientific research vessel Kosmonaut Georgiy Dobrovolskiy. The Agency for the Management of Federal Property has decided to auction off the last operating ship of the famous space flotilla. Veterans of the maritime space fleet are trying to save this unique vessel. Dobrovolskiy is capable even today of carrying out tasks to control spacecraft, including the International Space Station, as space experts confirmed.

posted 12-06-2005 02:30 PM               

Last Russian space tracking ship sold at auction

Novosti-Kosmonavtiki is reporting that "the last vessel from the 'space fleet' has been sold for 24.6 million rubles. The "Cosmonaut Georgiy Dobrovol'skiy" was sold on Tuesday at auction, reports Interfax. Roskosmos press service chief Vyacheslav davidenko announced this. "The vessel is acquired by the firm Natalia Shiping Ltd, registered in the island nation Saint- Kitts and Nevis (Antilles Islands), for 24.6 million rubles", said Davidenko. He reminded that the starting price was 24 million rubles. "The resources received from the sale of the vessel will enter into the federal budget", noted Davidenko.