Ministry of Defense Asked to Review Restrictions

For better quality of operations with satellite imagery data it is critical to have a good linear resolution, i.e. the size of smallest details on the image. Until recently the distribution of satellite data has been restricted by a resolution of two metres.

In the open letter, ScanEx reminds that back in December 2006 the former Head of the Defense Ministry Sergei Ivanov reported to the president about the lifting of restrictions on the resolutions of satellite images.

However, despite this announcement Roskosmos issued the license for space activities in February 2008 with the restriction of right to receive and process satellite imagery data over the Russian territory at the resolution better than two metres. Roskosmos, with a reference to the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces, said that the restriction on linear resolution was not lifted and continues to be in effect both with respect to Russian and foreign RS satellites.

The company filed a claim to the Moscow Court of Arbitration requesting to oblige Roskosmos to lift the restrictions. Ministry of Defense was also called to the court as the third party but, according to the letter, was never attending any court hearings in which case a review was not possible and the proceedings had to be suspended.

ScanEx asks the minister "to present the official position of the RF Defense Ministry on the issue of actual execution" of what was reported on 18th December 2006 by the Defense Minister, now acting as Vice-Premier Sergei Ivanov, and "to explain why the Ministry of Defense representatives failed to be present at the arbitration court hearings and why the court's demand was not fulfilled".

The Moscow Court of Arbitration declined the suit of ScanEx on 20th July, but the company made an appeal.

RIA Novosti still has no comments from the Defense Ministry.