"Convenient platforms for stations are considered the most expensive real estate on the moon"

Scientists have identified sites for placing Russian stations on the Moon. Evgeny Slyuta, head of the Laboratory of Geochemistry of the Moon and Planets at the Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Izvestia about this. The sites were selected in the vicinity of the South and North Poles of the satellite. Unlike international projects, these stations will be used mainly in the national interest. The advantages of the selected locations are good illumination, radio visibility of the Earth, useful resources and space for research and exploration. However, the United States and China also want to occupy some of these sites. According to what principle the "division" of the lunar territory will take place and when stations may appear there — in an interview with Evgeny Slyuta.

"We are considering the creation of a national lunar station"

— Evgeny Nikolaevich, what are the stations on the moon for?

— In recent years, the exploration of the Moon has been one of the priorities of the leading space powers. Over 250 missions, both public and private, are planned for the satellite in the next ten years. According to experts, the Moon's economy will amount to hundreds of billions of dollars in the near future.

Photo: Global Look Press/Jin Liwang

At the same time, the choice of sites for station placement will be one of the key factors for the effectiveness of lunar exploration. The optimal site will significantly reduce the cost of maintenance and operation of the base in the future and, in fact, will provide a strategic advantage forever.

Therefore, the leading powers are competing with each other for the right to occupy the most convenient areas. In fact, their number is limited. Convenient platforms for stations are considered the most expensive real estate on the moon.

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— How will the plots be distributed between the countries?

— In general, the principle is that whoever takes the first place takes it. Therefore, the leading powers compete, striving to master the best sites faster. Now China and the United States expect to deliver the first automatic elements to the Moon for the construction of bases in 2026-2028. Manned missions for these purposes are expected after 2030, and the start of full—fledged operation of the stations in the mid-2030s.

The Russian space program does not provide for manned flights to a satellite in the next ten years. However, in 2028, two Russian modules will be sent to its surface as part of the Luna-27 expedition. One will land near the South Pole, the other near the North Pole. The success of these missions will allow our country to make a significant bid for station placement in the landing area of these vehicles.

Photo: TASS/Artem Korotaev

— Russia and China are jointly implementing the international lunar station project. How will it be combined with the national base?

According to modern agreements, if a country's space agency is located in a certain area, then it controls this territory - this is a security issue. It is impossible to place, for example, two landing zones on one site. Therefore, in parallel with the international project, we are considering the creation of our own segment, the national lunar station.

Cooperation with other countries is possible within the framework of joint scientific programs and synchronous research. However, the landing site will belong to only one country and will be serviced by its forces. Accordingly, the security zone and the administration of this territory will remain under her control. Access for other countries will be limited to one degree or another.

— What guides scientists when choosing locations for lunar bases?

— Among the key criteria are illumination for the longest possible period, which is necessary for constant access to solar energy, and the radio visibility of the Earth to ensure stable communication with the planet. In addition, the availability of raw materials near the station is of great importance. This includes regolith (lunar soil) as a building material, as well as lunar ice and volatile components.

Photo: TASS/Zuma\TASS

Another requirement is flat areas of at least 10×10 km in size. Such spaces are needed to conveniently and safely accommodate the necessary infrastructure — landers, scientific equipment and power plants. In addition, the surrounding area should be convenient for robots to work so that they can explore the ground and extract useful resources.

"A chance to consolidate a strategic presence at the North Pole of the Moon"

— Where can I find such sites?

— The areas near the poles have the greatest combination of favorable factors. For example, in these areas, the Sun shines almost tangentially, creating the so-called "peaks of eternal sunshine", where illumination is 80-90% of the time, which provides constant access to solar energy.

At the same time, there are permanently shaded areas at the bottom of large impact craters. The extremely cold conditions in them contribute to the preservation of water ice.

Launch of the Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle with the Fregat upper stage and the Luna-25 automatic station

Photo: RIA Novosti/Grigory Sysoev

For example, four potential sites suitable for hosting lunar stations were selected near the South Pole. Three of them are compactly located on the ramparts of the De Gerlache, Shackleton, and Slater craters, and the fourth is slightly further away on the Leibniz Plateau.

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— Why are scientists interested in these particular locations?

— The evaluation criteria included the presence of "peaks of eternal light". For example, the second of the listed sites has two such points located 7.5 km from each other. This will make it possible to supply the station with uninterrupted solar energy. In addition, Malapert Mountain is located nearby, which rises 5.5 km above the terrain. The repeaters placed on it will ensure constant communication with the Earth.

The Jade Rabbit Lunar Rover

Photo: Global Look Press/Xinhua

Together with scientists from the Institute of Space Research in the area of the lunar South Pole, we have outlined 21 accumulations of water ice, the total reserves of which are estimated at 40 million tons. The first, second and third sites are located near these deposits. Currently, routes for the heavy lunar rover "Robot Geologist" with a length of about 400 km have been developed in the vicinity of these sites. They take into account safe slopes (no more than 15 degrees) and the illumination of the area necessary to recharge the device.

It is worth noting that the first and fourth sites partially overlap with the areas of interest of the American Artemis program, and the second with the Chinese lunar program.

— Which sites have been selected in the vicinity of the North Pole?

— This area has a difficult terrain, less studied and has not yet been mastered by landing missions. Therefore, Russia has a chance to be the first to consolidate its strategic presence in the area of the lunar North Pole.

Three main sites measuring 10×10 km have also been identified here to accommodate the lunar infrastructure, which meet all key requirements. One of them is similar to the second site at the South Pole. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the North Pole on the steep shaft of the large impact crater Hinshelwood with a diameter of several hundred kilometers.

This site has a relatively flat surface, although it has a low light level and limited Ground visibility. Despite these features, it fully meets the requirements for hosting a lunar station.