This entry is a translation of Dmitry’s post, originally in Russian.

Kazakhstan seriously started the development of its space industry. The “Kazsat” satellite, to be launched in July, is the first project in a row of other space initiatives. Further on the second satellite “Kazsat-2” is planned to be launched, and the representatives of “Kazcosmos” announced about a week ago that a whole series of satellites will be created and launched together with Russia and France. Now the Prime-Minister Ahmetov signed a decree that allows attracting foreign aerospace specialists to work in Kazakhstan, something like intellectual “gastarbeiters”. This category of workers is listed in the quotas for foreign personnel in Kazakhstan.

Indeed, these are not temporary workers, like street-cleaners or construction workers. This decision can only mean that “Kazcosmos” is determined to start developing the production of space vehicles, and specialists invited from abroad will form a core group of constructors, engineers, and qualified assembly workers.

It’s also clear where will the specialists come from - Russia, of course. Though definitely certain number of specialists can come from Europe, let’s say France or any other country. However, they definitely count on Russian specialists, who, due to decay of Russian space industry, are left without work, get low salaries and do not have any prospects. Kazakhstan for them is a close, well known (since many specialists have been and worked at Baykonur), and in addition, Russian-speaking country. The idea, probably, is that they are first invited as temporary guest workers, on a couple of space projects, and then offered to stay for good.

At the same time, it is planned to gather qualified Kazakh youngsters and put under the supervision of Russian specialists. In 10-15 years Kazakhstan would have its own specialists in space-rocket industry.

To become a space power, Kazakhstan needs to develop the production of carrier rockets like “Proton-2M”, which are now frequently used at launching. “Protons” and Baykonur will allow Kazakhstan to do without Russia’s help in launching. The next step is to create its own assembly base, the basis for the industry. The Russian specialists are among the best in the world in this industry, plus they are the cheapest to invite. Production of satellites and space ships is the easiest task since satellites are being assembled in many countries.

You cannot but note that the management of “Kazcosmos” made the right steps to develop Kazakhstan space industry: it will lead to active use of Baykonur, its own satellite and further on – production of its own space technology.