U.S. LETS RUSSIAN LAUNCH QUOTA END WITH 2000
As expected, satellite launch quota limiting Russian Proton flights ended with close of 2000. U.S.-Russian Launch Trade Agreement signed Sept. 1993 allowed unlimited number of flights on rocket. It originally allowed 9 western geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) satellite launches per year until number increased to 16 in 1996, then 20 in 1999, but provided for agreement to expire at end of 2000 unless govts. renewed quotas. After brief posturing by Congress, U.S. followed through with original intent of allowing quota to die at expiration date.
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International Launch Services pres. Mark Albrecht said quota “outlived its usefulness” and its end would allow company to provide more launches for customers. Satellite Industry Assn. Exec. Dir. Clayton Mowry told House Space & Aeronautics Subcommittee (CD May 26 p13) that “quotas hurt companies.” Alexander Kondratiev, deputy dir.-gen., foreign economic relations, for Russian satellite developing and manufacturing company Krunichev, praised U.S. decision. “It will be a great boost for the development of our joint business,” he said.
U.S. officials, including Rep. Gordon (D-Tenn.), said that allowing quota to expire was “appropriate” step and that there had been no serious discussion of continuing it.