The Kazakhstan Government says the rent that Russia pays to use the Baikonur Cosmodrome has been paid on time despite Russian space budget problems. Russia has paid $85.5 million of the $115 million fee. Investment in Baikonur, including finance from western companies using the centre such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing and the European-led Starsem, has enabled the cosmodrome to perform 27 out of the 29 Russian satellite launches this year, compared with 26 launches by the USA.
Source: Flight International