Kazakhstan will not name Russia as a privileged...

Kazakhstan launched its first satellite, KazSat-1, in June 2006; however, its control systems failed last June. Astana is set to launch KazSat-2 in December 2010.

"KazSat-2 will be made at the Khrunichev R&D center in Russia under a contract signed in 2006, and over 86% of work to build the satellite has already been performed," Talgat Musabayev said.

KazSat-1 was to have a lifespan of 12.5 years. It was equipped with 12 active transponders, including four for TV-broadcasting and eight for fixed telephone services.

Musabayev said his agency, Kazcosmos, had taken measures to improve KazSat-2 characteristics and enhance its security and control systems.

He also said a feasibility study had already been developed for the production and launch of KazSat-3.

Astana is also planning to invest $100 million in a project to use Russia"s Zenit booster rocket, Musabayev said. He said the investment would be used to pay for the initial stake, upgrade Zenit

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