Global General

Russian space agency chief fired

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-29 17:02

MOSCOW - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin dismissed chief of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) Anatoly Perminov Friday.

Putin signed instructions dismissing Anatoly Perminov from the post considering that Perminov reached the age limit for holding an office in public service, Putin's press service said.

By another order, Putin appointed Vladimir Popovkin, the former first deputy defense minister, to the post.

According to local media, Popovkin was relived of his duties in the defense ministry by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Friday morning.

The rumor of the 65-year Perminov's resignation first emerged in last December following the loss of three Glonass satellites.