Putin: Russia to be space launch leader

MOSCOW, April 8 (UPI) -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says his country could become the world's leader in space launches in the foreseeable future.

Speaking at a conference on the future of Russia's national space industry, Putin said Russia was capable of making every second space launch in the world, ITAR-Tass reported Thursday.

"These days our country ensures 40 percent of all space launches in the world, and I believe that we shall be able to build up that share by five percent, even 10, in the foreseeable future," he said.

In so doing Russia should confine itself to the role of an international provider of space carrier services, he said.