28 Feb 2013 12:37

New head of Russian Space Systems assumes office

MOSCOW. Feb 28 (Interfax-AVN) - Roscosmos head Vladimir Popovkin introduced new Russian Space Systems General Director Gennady Raikunov to the corporation personnel on Thursday, a source at the Federal Space Agency told Interfax-AVN.

"The new head starts to take over duties from Andrei Chimiris who has been the acting general director since late last year," the source said.

Rosimushchestvo approved the Raikunov nomination on February 20. Before the appointment he had been the head of CNIIMash, a Roscosmos research institute.

Yuri Urlichich had been in charge of Russian Space Systems until November 2012 when he tendered resignation for health reasons. Chimiris became the acting director general.