During a Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) presidium meeting focused on space exploration, Academician Sergey Chernyshev announced Russia’s intention to secure sovereign territories on the Moon’s surface. This aspiration is slated to be executed as part of the federal program “Space Science.” Chernyshev suggested this move is crucial for maintaining Russia’s standing among the leading spacefaring nations involved in lunar development, according to reports by RBC.
The program’s execution is structured in two distinct phases: initially focusing on mastering landing and surface research methodologies for the satellite, followed by the development of lunar base components and the implementation of technology enabling departure from landing sites. The total projected expenditure for this endeavor, scheduled through 2036, amounts to 4.4 trillion rubles.
It is noteworthy that the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, ratified by the USSR, the USA, and the UK, explicitly prohibits national appropriation of celestial bodies, the Moon included.
Previously, Chernyshev disclosed adjustments to the timeline for Russia’s lunar endeavors. Launches for the “Luna-28,” “Luna-29,” and “Luna-30” missions are now scheduled between 2032 and 2036. In 2025, Lev Zeleny, Scientific Director of the RAS Space Research Institute, indicated a postponement of the “Luna-27A” launch from 2028 to 2029. Back in 2023, the then-head of Roscosmos, Yuri Borisov, had put forward different dates: “Luna-26” for 2027, “Luna-27” for 2028, and “Luna-28” for 2030 or subsequently.
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