The work is part of a wider collaboration on space science research between the two countries this year.
It also sees University College London and Russia’s Institute of Medical and Biological Problems study crew behaviour in space.
Speaking from Moscow, David Willetts, minister for universities and science, said: ‘We need to continue to share this knowledge and expertise, and the UK-Russia Year of Space 2011 is an opportunity to do that. I hope this partnership will lead to groundbreaking work.’
As part of the venture ‘Space Science Cafes’ will be organised, allowing UK and Russian space scientists to share knowledge, and discuss future projects.
Joint research will also be done on board the International Space Station.
The alliance also aims to focus on life sciences, physics, climate science, energy efficiency and nanotechnology.
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