Kazakhs Lift Rocket Ban To Clear Way For Russian Launch

October 24, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Authorities in Kazakhstan have suspended a ban on launches of one of the most functional rockets in the Russian space program, clearing the way for a liftoff to carry three global positioning satellites into space on October 26.

Kazakh officials had grounded Proton rockets from the Baikonur Cosmodrome as investigators probed a crash in September that took place shortly after liftoff, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reported.

That mishap scattered toxic rocket fuel and debris over a broad area, and the two sides were said to be disagreeing over the amount of compensation that Moscow should pay.