Actions against Russia have no impact on UrtheCast, CEO says
by The Canadian Press
B.C.-based firm recently installed cameras on Russian section of International Space Station
MONTREAL—A top official with the Vancouver company behind two cameras on the International Space Station (ISS) says it hasn’t been affected by actions taken against Russia over its involvement in Ukraine.
UrtheCast Corp. CEO Scott Larson says the situation is unsettling but hasn’t had any impact on his firm.
Except for co-operation related to the space station, NASA, the national space agency of the United States, has severed ties with Russia and its employees are prohibited from travelling there.
NASA said in a statement this week it will continue to work with the Russian space agency to maintain continuous operation of the space station.
Cosmonauts installed two UrtheCast cameras on the exterior of the Russian section of the space station in January.
UrtheCast partnered with Russian aerospace firm RSC Energia on the project.
The assurance from UrtheCast comes after another B.C.-based firm, MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA), announced a decision to delay a satellite communications contract in Ukraine amid tensions with Russia.
Last month Bombardier Inc. said the situation in Ukraine could lead to a delay in a deal to build its Q400 turboprops in Russia.
—With files from Canadian Manufacturing Staff
