[Satellite TODAY 10-28-10] Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary (KGS) has contracted Astrium to provide and install various mechanical, radiometric, thermal and acoustic testing equipment at Kazakhstan’s Satellite Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) center, Astrium announced Oct. 27.
   Astrium also will assist KGS in the construction of the center to ensure coordination with the test equipment.
   KGS is being supported by the Kazakhstan space agency, Kazcosmos, to develop a national space program and has partnered with Astrium on other space projects. In October 2009, the companies entered into a joint venture agreement to develop two Earth observation satellites for Kazakhstan and co-manage the AIT facility after it is completed.
   The center will form part of a “Space City” Kazcosmos is developing in Astana. The city will include the ground segment for the two Astrium-built satellites as well an administrative building and a museum dedicated to the country’s space history.
   “We are now also working closely with KGS to best develop the distribution of Earth observation data and provide satellite services to the government and private sector in Kazakhstan,” Astrium CEO François Auque said in a statement.