Putin touts Russia's growing investment in space programs

NOVO-OGARYOVO (Moscow region) - The Russian government earmarked about 200 billion rubles ($7 billion) in funding for space programs in 2010-11, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.

"In the far-from-easy post-crisis conditions we are increasing the volume of funding for our space programs," he said.

Putin said Russia would develop a whole range of new capabilities over the next five years.

"We need new-generation space equipment, featuring greater reliability and service life [...]

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