Russian moon base would have to accommodate 12 people – News

Photo: REUTERS / Eduard Korniyenko

«Roskosmos” does not give up a lunar base. His head scientific organization – TsNIImash continued development in this direction.

– In TsNIImash FSUE now under study of the project of long-term lunar base (DLB) – he told “Izvestia” the spokesperson Olga TsNIIMASH Zharov. – Draft a framework was originally developed in the USSR in KB general engineering under the direction of Vladimir Barmina in the late 1960s – early 1970s, the development program of the Moon using the rocket H1 Central Design Bureau of experimental Engineering (TSKBEM now this RSC “Energia”). Lunar Expeditionary Complex (LEC) “Star” was developed in TSKBEM in 1974-1976 to conduct long-term studies on the lunar surface. Scientific and technical expertise for these projects carried out in those years FSUE TsNIImash, where he is now being worked such a project.

The Moon base is a strategic goal of the Russian Space 2030′s, despite the difficult situation with the financing of “lunar program.” In the next decade, the state will primarily support programs for automatic complexes GLONASS, communication devices, satellite remote sensing and scientific stations. These directions are named Vladimir Putin during the adoption of the Federal Space Program (FCP). In the process of budget cuts ambitious projects like runway lunar lander or even a lunar grader and excavator were laid off. Some of these companies will continue at their own expense, and some programs have been moved to the following stages of financing, ie for the period after 2025, given the history of the PCF

Moon Base on the agenda has not been removed -. Work in terms of its design are carried out in the RSC “Energia” and TsNIIMASH. Some options DLB to date has identified

-. In the number of the members of its crew initial stages of the deployment of a lunar base is not more than 2-4 people in the later stages of the number of members of the crew can reach 10-12 man, – said the representative of TsNIIMASH Olga Zharov. – When the four members of the crew and the duration of the expedition 30 days minimum habitable germoobem such a base is 20 cubic meters. m. For the active work crew infrastructure should be on the surface of the moon. Beneath the surface of the radiation-seekers can be created of the moon, placed power plants, etc.

At the same time, a place to build a lunar base is not selected

-.. Single no opinion, most of the proposals in favor of placing the base in the vicinity of the South pole of the Moon, – explained Olga Zharov. – The construction of a lunar base must begin with selecting the place safe landing of manned and cargo ships. And the construction itself should begin with housing and power modules.

In TsNIIMASH emphasize that in the process of elaboration of a new lunar base project they borrow some ideas from the projects carried out in the USSR. So, about the same as living quarters are taken.

Recently, RSC “Energia” has published proposals for a lunar base, prepared by research teams in the 60-70-ies of the last century. Even then, for the construction of a lunar base designed a special construction machinery. For the same purpose the Federal Space Agency intends to ask for money as part of the PCF in the years 2016-2025: in the text of the draft program were the seemingly amazing projects like the creation of lunar excavator, grader, and of cable. In general, if the colonization of the Moon includes the construction of a manned base there, you will need special equipment. Despite this, the lunar graders and excavators have held in the FCP project for long: after the first review of the draft crossed out in the ministries of these programs

In TsNIIMASH explained that the preliminary designs of the lunar construction machinery already established

– draft projects exist, they were considered TsNIIMASH – said Olga Zharov. – Plans for the manufacture of test specimens of such construction machinery there. But developed their computer 3D-model.

The idea to build a lunar base, and then the moon landfill in the South Pole of the Moon has been proposed in the draft Concept of the Russian lunar program, prepared by the RAS institutions, enterprises “Roskosmos” and Moscow State University. There aim was to create a mid-century manned base on the Moon and lunar polygon with the possibility of extraction of minerals in the Earth’s satellite.

The economically attractive projects on the Moon is not offered (except, perhaps, tourism), but the problem for the development of outer space is traditionally formulated scientists, not economists. And scientists have a lot of ideas – how and why to use a lunar base. For example, it is possible to find and explore the moon or ice build an observatory, which will operate under ideal conditions, because there is no atmosphere on the Moon

-. To head researcher was busy creativity, design is necessary, and from this point of view, designing a lunar base – a lesson for designers much more useful than the umpteenth time to modernize the spacecraft “Soyuz”, – says member of the Russian Academy of cosmonautics. KE Tsiolkovsky Andrew, son of John. – These projects will help attract young people, the public’s attention. At the same time we must understand that the implementation of such a complex and expensive project as the lunar base possible when followed will be the strategic interests of the state or big business. While the existence of such interest in someone is not felt.