layers of the atmosphere; the mutual transmission of initial and processed data and of research findings; assistance in the training of specialists; the provision of technical assistance through the purchase of equipment and the supply of the services of experts under commercial contracts; systematic investigation of the upper layers of the atmosphere and of the ionosphere using ground apparatus, rockets and space vehicles ; supply by the Soviet Union of equipment, hardware and materials. 3. The Soviet Union is also developing such areas of co-operation as the exchange of information and the performance of joint work in space biology and medicine. There is extensive co-operation of this kind with France and the United States under intergovernmental agreements. Through the Institute of Medico-biological Problems of the USSR Ministry of Health, numerous agreements have been concluded with foreign institutions, particularly institutes of aviation medicine in the Federal Republic of Germany and India, and the Institute of Biotechnology of the University of Zurich. Some 20 agreements have been signed with East European countries. 4. The USSR State Committee for Space, GLAVK0SM0S, engages in co-operation with government departments and organizations from foreign countries both under intergovernmental agreements on space and under agreements and contracts for the provision by the Soviet Union of services including the launching of ·satellites for foreign States and international organizations, the conduct of experiments on board Soviet spacecraft, etc. The USSR is in favour of the extension of international co-operation in the area of joint manned space flights. In 1988-89 alone, astronauts from Bulgaria, Afghanistan and France made flights on Soviet spacecraft and the Mir orbital station . Preparations are now in progress for Soviet-British, A/AC.105/C.2/16/Add.5 page 11 Soviet-Japanese and Soviet-Austrian space flights. The last of these flights will be carried out in accordance with the Agreement between the USSR and 
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses international cooperation and collaboration in the field of space research and exploration, including the exchange of information, joint research, and technical assistance. It also mentions the provision of services and equipment by the Soviet Union to foreign countries. This suggests that the category should be related to science and technology, with possible connections to international cooperation and trade.

**Category**
Science and technology, International trade