Johann-Dietrich Wörner, Director General Of European Space Agency Clarifies His Vision “To Establish An Infrastructure On The Moon… To Do First-Class Fundamental Research”; International Research Station On Lunar Surface NET 2024 Should Serve As Next Foothold Of Human Expansion Into Solar System After ISS; Moon Focus Increasing ESA Collaboration With China, Russia, Japan & U.S. On Moon / Mars / Space Missions
Credit: ESA, Foster + Partners
Moscow Institute For Medical & Biological Problems To Observe Psychological Effects & Performance Of 6 Russia Women Scientists (Selected From 10 Experts In Physical / Biological / Medical Research) During 8-Day “Moon Mission” Starting 27 Oct; Women Will Live In Confined Mockup Spacecraft & Use Short Radius Centrifuge; Mission Duration Simulates Launch, One Orbit Around Moon & Return To Earth; Results Will Aid Planning For Long-Duration Missions / Permanent Moon Settlements
Credit: Medical & Biological Problems Institute, ESA, Laboratory of Physics & Physiology
Russia Luna-25 Performing “Earth Trials” For Projected 2019 Landing At Moon South Pole To Study Moon Structure, Cosmic Ray Impact, Electromagnetic Radiation; Incoming ESA Director General (1 July), Johann-Dietrich Wörner (TR) Discussing International Partnerships & States “One Of My Ideas Is To Go To The Moon, To The Far Side Of The Moon. To Have Robots And Humans Really Be Present There, On A Permanent Station…”
Credit: NASA, Roscosmos Press Service, EuroNews, International Paris Air Show
Uniform Technical Parameters Are Being Explored For Russia & China Future Collaboration To Execute Human Lunar Landings; Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin States That “Moscow Is Ready To Work Hand In Hand”; Russia Presents Model Of Luna-25 (Luna Glob Project) Lander During 2015 Le Bourget Air Show In Paris, France This Week; Luna-25 Launch Plans & Preparations Are Still Underway
Credit: NASA, CNSA, CCTV
International Association Of Planetary Sciences Forum Underway In Kazan, Russia; Leading Scientists From Russia, China, Japan, USA, Europe & Australia Are Discussing Timely Topics In Lunar & Planetary Science While Reviewing / Previewing Recent / Planned Missions Including Chang’e (3,4,5,6), Luna Glob, Luna Resource, GRAIL, LRO, European Lunar Lander, Selene-2; Event Also Includes 2nd International Chang’e Lunar Dynamics Workshop & 9th Russia-Japan Space Workshop
Image Credit: ROSCOSMOS, ESA, CNSA, kpfu.ru
China Lunar Exploration Program Chief Designer Wu Weiren Says Researchers Working To Develop Life Support, Escape & Rescue Systems, Larger Carrier Rocket To Facilitate Human Lunar Surface Missions, Continued Development Of New Launch Center In Hainan; Russia & China Devising Unified Standards For Space Technologies To Soon Begin Cooperation Beyond LEO, Including Human Lunar Program; Plans Include Standardizing Docking Units, Electrical Connectors & Spacecraft Atmosphere
Image Credit: Phil Smith, RIA Novosty
Russia Invites China To Collaborate On Scientific Space Station In Lunar Orbit, Both Countries Have Stated Plans To Continue Robotic Exploration Of Moon Over Next Decade, Conduct Human Surface Missions By 2030; New ESA Leader Johann-Dietrich Wörner (L) Sees International Permanent Moon Station – Likely At Far Side – As Next Step After ISS; Japan Plan For ~2018 Lunar Lander Garnering Significant Attention From International Space Community
Pictured (R): Roscosmos Leader Igor Komarov, China Vice Premier Wang Yang
Image Credit: Russianspaceweb.com, RIA Novosti
Russia Space Program Submission For 2016-2025 Due June 1, To Consist Of ~US$38B Proposal Including Human Circumlunar Flight 2025, Human Moon Landing 2029, Construction Of Super-Heavy Rocket (Modified Angara-A5 To Increase Payload Capacity By 12,000 Kg, First Test Launch 2021 & Launch To ISS 2024); Construction Of ~1,000 Sq Km Vostochny Cosmodrome First Launch Planned Dec 2015
Pictured L-R: Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, Russia President Vladimir Putin, Roscosmos Head Igor Komarov
Image Credit: Russian Ministry of Defence, Dmitry Rogozin, NASA, kremlin.ru
Space Agency Leaders Of NASA & Roscosmos Confirm Intention To Work Together On Exploration Of Moon & Mars; Roscosmos Chief Igor Komarov Acknowledges More Tasks Can Be Solved & Expenses Saved By Acting Together, Says Deep Space Exploration & Protection Of Earth From Space Threats Must Be Solved By ‘Entire Humanity’; The 2 Countries Will Collaborate On ISS Until 2024, Will Not Build Another Station In NEO, Discussing Potential Cooperation On New Space Station In Lunar Orbit
Image Credit: gaetanomarano.it, Roscosmos, NASA
With Over US$5B Investment, Russia Leaders Making Every Effort To Complete New Vostochny Spaceport & Begin Initial Steps Of New Moon Program; 885-Square Km Facility Will Have 7 Launch Pads & 25,000-Person ‘Satellite City’ For Rocket Scientists; Delays & Corruption Threatening Timeline For 1st Soyuz Launch, Projected Dec 2015; Site Will Be Critical For Russia Goal Of Creating Permanent Base On Moon By 2035, Likely At North Pole; Russia Leaders Foresee International Competition For The Limited Amount Of Locations Ideal For Moon Base Development
Pictured: (R) Russia President Vladimir Putin, (L) Deputy Premier Dmitry Rogozin
Image Credit: Siberian Times