The Russian Academy of Sciences is developing a long-term program for studying the Moon, designed through 2060. This was reported by RAS President Gennady Krasnikov, who emphasized that the document will become a continuation of the current lunar program, designed through 2036.
The new strategy is part of the updated scientific space program, already approved in the form proposed by RAS. It includes world-class projects — the orbital observatories "Spektr-UV" and "Millimetron," intended to study relic radiation, star formation processes, as well as black holes and neutron stars.
The president of the academy stated that, in addition to fundamental astrophysical missions, Russia will continue planetary research. Special attention is being given to Venus, but the lunar direction remains one of the key ones.
The program through 2060 is expected to define the scientific priorities, missions, and technologies necessary for comprehensive study of the Moon, including orbital research and potential automated landing vehicles.
Work on the document is being carried out in cooperation with scientific institutes and the state corporation "Roskosmos." The new program is intended to ensure continuity in Russian lunar research and strengthen the role of domestic science in international space cooperation.