Two Israeli companies and a Russian university have joined forces to develop nanosatellite technology.
Russian Israeli Nanosatellite Initiatives (RINI) brings together Tusur, the Tomsk State University of Controlsystems and Electronics, and two Israeli companies - Spacecialist and Astelion.
RINI will set up an enterprise centre that will develop and operate small satellites weighing up to 10kg (22lb). The civilian space industry and academia in both countries will also participate.
Some Russian space companies have already expressed interest in the centre and intend to co-operate on projects, including a joint Russian-Israeli launch in September 2012.
Source: Flight International