Set the module: Russian spacecraft may be the first to reach the North Pole of the Moon
- Статьи
- Science and technology
- Set the module: Russian spacecraft may be the first to reach the North Pole of the Moon
As part of the Russian lunar program, two Luna-27 landers will be launched to the Earth's satellite. This was announced by Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Bakanov at a meeting with the heads of the space agencies of the BRICS countries. Thus, according to experts, he supported the project of scientists to send one of the devices to the vicinity of the North Pole of the satellite. This is how Russia's priority in this area of the moon can be consolidated. In addition, the head of Roscosmos invited students and specialists from the BRICS countries to jointly launch small spacecraft, and scientists to conduct research at a promising Russian space station.
Russian spacecraft at the North Pole of the Moon
In addition to Russia and China, 13 states have joined the creation of the International Lunar Station. These are Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bolivia, Venezuela, Djibouti, Egypt, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Senegal, Serbia, Thailand, Ethiopia and South Africa. This was stated by Dmitry Bakanov, Director General of the Roscosmos State Corporation. He took part in the meeting of the heads of space agencies of the BRICS countries, which was held in Brazil from April 27 to 29, 2025.
As part of the project, our country, in particular, will develop a nuclear power plant. In the future, a nuclear power plant will be built on the surface of the Moon.
— Russia plans to launch a number of spacecraft for remote and contact lunar exploration. These are the Luna-26, Luna-29 orbiters and landers in various areas on the lunar surface: Luna-27 No. 1 and No. 2, Luna-28, Luna-30," Dmitry Bakanov said.
According to him, the Earth's natural satellite should become humanity's second outpost in space. Its conquest is one of the biggest challenges since the flight of Yuri Gagarin.
"The announced solutions represent an ambitious project of the Russian lunar program, which, importantly, includes not only the study, but also the initial stages of satellite development," Lev Zeleny, academician and scientific director of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, commented to Izvestia.
He noted that, according to the statement, there will be two Luna-27 modules. Thus, the head of Roscosmos supported the proposals of scientists to send one device to the vicinity of the South Pole of the satellite, where foreign missions have already visited, and the second to the undeveloped areas of the North Pole. Thus, Russia can be given priority in this area, Lev Zelyony added.
As the academician emphasized, there are fewer ice reserves near the North Pole, which makes this area less promising for hosting the first station, but in the future it is of strategic importance, including because it is more convenient to fly there than to the South Pole.
Joint satellite launches and research on the Russian
At the same time, Dmitry Bakanov put forward a proposal to create a Space Council, a permanent platform for coordinating joint projects. Such a structure will be responsible for coordinating the scientific and technical programs of the BRICS countries and developing common rules for space activities. He stressed that the unification states represent half of the world's population. Consequently, the responsibility for sustainable and equitable space exploration lies largely with these countries.
— Cooperation with BRICS is the most important area of international activity for Roscosmos. Collective development will make it possible to use the results of these activities more effectively in the interests of national economies. It will also help unite the efforts of scientists from different countries in the study of the universe and will give impetus to technological development," said Alexander Zheleznyakov, a writer and cosmonautics historian.
The heads of the space agencies of the BRICS countries also supported the draft memorandum on space education prepared by the Russian side. This document is focused on the development of joint educational projects. In particular, Dmitry Bakanov called on students, scientists and specialists from partner countries to jointly create and launch small spacecraft into orbit as part of the Russian UniverSat program. During the implementation of this project, he said, 22 small spacecraft have already been sent into orbit. Six more are planned to be launched this year.
— In recent years, Russia has made progress in the development of educational cosmonautics. In addition to Universal, this is the Space-π project, which launched 61 school and university satellites of the Kubsat standard. Currently, 34 of them are operating in low-Earth orbit. A network of SONIX receiving stations has been established for their operation in the country. This successful experience can be scaled up in cooperation with the BRICS countries. It is also important that common programs can become the basis for major international space projects in the future," explained Alexander Khokhlov, Head of the Geoscan Group of Companies' Project Department.
At the same time, he emphasized, such projects require appropriate infrastructural support. For example, there are difficulties with the frequency provision of amateur radio satellites in Russia.
— For several years in our country, small spacecraft have been launched on special conditions (often free of charge), which are designed by small private companies and student teams. This makes it possible to test developments and save years, which is significant in the face of strong competition from the West. The expansion of the BRICS program is our country's geopolitical response to the new space technology race," commented space science expert Nicholas Oxman.
Dmitry Bakanov also invited partners to join the project of a new Russian space station and conduct joint scientific research and experiments on it. According to him, the first module of the station is already in a high stage of readiness.
At the same time, the head of Roscosmos announced the construction of a new ground station for the GLONASS navigation system in Venezuela and proposed creating an organization responsible for cooperation between the BRICS countries in the field of satellite navigation and laser rangefinding. The aim of the initiative is to develop high—tech transport infrastructure, introduce intelligent logistics systems and integrate unmanned technologies into the transport sector.
— Navigation services play a key role in the modern world, covering a variety of industries — from agriculture, geology, transportation of people and goods to security systems. Combining the infrastructure of global Russian GLONASS, Chinese BeiDou and regional Indian IRNSS positioning systems will have a multiplicative effect and will significantly improve the quality of services provided on their basis," Konstantin Kreidenko, editor—in-chief of Vestnik GLONASS magazine, told Izvestia.
At the same time, in his opinion, how organizations and people are prepared to use space opportunities plays a significant role. To do this, it is necessary to bring the administrative and regulatory framework in line with modern technical realities. In our country, the lag in this area affects the pace of development of space industries.
Sergey Zhukov, President of the Moscow Space Club, noted that the International Lunar Station and the UniverSat project within the framework of the BRICS are good, but not enough. Big projects are needed. Such, for example, as a manned expedition to Mars. In general, Russia needs a national space strategy for 100 years or more. Based on this strategic vision, targeted medium-term programs can be developed.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
