The launch of a lunar ascent-descent "hopper" apparatus for soil sampling and return under the national project "Kosmos" is not planned for 2026–2036; work may begin later — with a launch after 2036. This was announced by the Director of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician Anatoly Petrukovich, in an interview with TASS.
Previously, a concept was proposed for an apparatus that would make multiple landings in designated areas of the Moon, collect soil samples, return them to lunar orbit, and transfer them for delivery to Earth.
According to Petrukovich, work on such a system is planned with a launch after 2036, and it may appear by 2040 — possibly in an international version.
The project is technically complex: "hoppers" need infrastructure in lunar orbit for periodic refueling and cargo transfer to another spacecraft. According to the head of IKI RAN, specialists must first master single landings and takeoffs of apparatuses.
Read more on the topic:
- Russia Plans to Explore the Moon Until 2060: Long-Term Strategy Being Prepared
- The Moon is Getting Further Away: Domestic Space Programs are Shifting by Years
- Similar to SpaceX: Roscosmos is developing a reusable first stage rocket