Russia to Resume its Moon-Exploration Program

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Russia to Resume its Moon-Exploration Program
13 Apr 2022
4 min read

News Synopsis

President Vladimir Putin is planning to resume the lunar exploration program, paving the way for a new space race as Russia's invasion of Ukraine puts pressure on international space cooperation. 

The lunar mission of Russia called Luna-24 dates back to 1976, under the third mission from the Soviet Union to bring lunar soil samples to Earth. Putin said that Russia would continue to work to develop a new-generation transport vehicle as well as nuclear space-energy technologies, where it has a clear advantage. 

Speaking from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's far east to commemorate Yury Gagarin's orbiting of the Earth in 1961, Putin said that Russia would resume its lunar program through the launch of its Luna-25 moon probe from the spacecraft later this year.

Currently, Russia's invasion of Ukraine threatens international space cooperation. Russian space agency Roscosmos has suspected future involvement with the ISS and said it has stopped supplying rocket engines to the United States.

Putin said Gagarin's flight took place while the Soviet Union was completely isolated, eradicating the effects of international sanctions on Russia's space program. 

"We did everything in complete technological isolation, and we have achieved such tremendous success," said the President of Russia.

TWN In-Focus