Russia will restore its moon program, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a ceremony of awarding of Russian cosmonauts at the Vostochny Cosmodrome Tuesday, adding that he is talking about the launch of the Luna-25 automatic spacecraft.
According to the President, Russia intends to continue its work on development of a new-generation cargo spacecraft and nuclear space energy technologies, where Russia already has a very good groundwork and a "perfectly clear advantage."
"We will restore the moon program; I am talking about the launch of the Luna-25 automatic robotized spacecraft from the Vostochny Cosmodrome," the President said.
The head of state expressed his certainty that the Russian moon program will be implemented.
"By the third quarter [of 2022], the Luna-25 station must be complete. Are we going to make it in time in the third quarter?" Putin asked Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Rogozin.
"It is expected. The launch window is closing in the third quarter," Rogozin confirmed.
