COOPERATION

The Russian Federal Space Agency, known as ROSKOSMOS, is the government organization responsible for the Russian space program, but also for the international cooperation on the implementation of joint space projects and programs.

It conducts numerous civil activities (including Earth observation activities and the program for astronauts) and coordinates the military launches together with the Ministry of Defence of the Russian. 

The agency was founded only in 1992, but Russia's involvement in space began long time before the establishment of ROSKOSMOS. The experience and skills of the 1950s and 1960s Soviet Union have resulted in several world premieres, such as - for example - the first man in space. 

Currently, the agency is headquartered in Moscow, operations and missions are coordinated from Korolyov city and launches take place from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan (the manned flights) or from the Pleseţk Cosmodrome in northern Russia.