Russian PM fires space agency chief, appoints new head

AFP , Thursday 10 Oct 2013

The head of Russia's space agency is fired after a series of humiliating rocket launch failures

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev replaced the head of the state space agency Roscosmos, his spokeswoman said Thursday, after a series of embarrassing rocket launch failures.

Oleg Ostapenko, previously deputy defence minister, was appointed the new chief, replacing Vladimir Popovkin, spokeswoman Natalya Timakova told AFP, confirming a report on state television.

Short link: