co-operation between the Space Research Institute of the USSR Academy of Sciences and the Belgian Institute of Space Aeronomy; this provides for the execution of joint research into planetary physics, spac~ plasma, the physics of the Earth's atmosphere, etc. Major projects, such as SPEKTR-ROENTGEN-GAMMA and Radioastron, provide examples of the developing course of co-operation. The objects of the first of these projects are long-term work in extra-atmospheric astronomy and the conduct of .research and observations of benefit to cosmology, astronomy and the physics of interstellar space. The participants are the USSR, the A/AC.105/C.2/16/Add.5 page 8 United States of America, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, France, Finland, Del;lJllark, Switzerland, the Federal Republic of Germany, the German Democratic Republic and Hungary. The execution of the Radioas.tron project is making it possible to investigate virtually all types of astronomical objects. The Soviet Union is developing a special satellite that will have a solar power supply, a high-precision stellar guidance system and a high-speed data transmission capability. In addition to the USSR, direct development of the on-board apparatus required for a space radio telescope and of data-processing hardware will be carried out by a consortium of European radio observatories, the Technological University of Finland, the Australian Research Society and the Australian Radio Observatory. The United States has announced that it will participate in the project. , The international co-operation in the above project is being effected on the 'basis of a number of understandings and agreements. October 1988 saw the signing of an Agreement between the USSR Academy of Sciences and the Federal Ministry of Scientific Research and Technology of the Federal Republic of Germany on scientific and technological co-operation in the expiration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes. Under this Agreement, bilateral co-operation may extend to such fields as: research into 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be focused on international scientific cooperation, specifically in the field of space research and astronomy. The language used is technical and formal, indicating a focus on scientific and technological aspects rather than economic, social, or humanitarian concerns.

**Category**
Science and technology