Russia Interested In Moon, Mars Exploration

MOSCOW. April 2 (Interfax) – Russia should take active part in American and European programs on studying the Moon, Mars, and other planets, chief of the Russian Federal Space Agency Anatoly Perminov said.

“We should support and take part in the programs aimed at building a station on the Moon and move forward in exploring other planets of the Solar System,” Perminov said speaking at a press conference in Moscow on Friday.

He also set major priorities for the further development of the Russian space program.

“One of the promising programs is the ISS program and manned flights,” Perminov said. “The manned program of the ISS and further studies are necessary to develop further,” he said.

In addition, it is important “to pursue a program of scientific and applied research,” Perminov said. “I believe more intensive efforts are needed in this area,” he said.

Perminov also mentioned “the creation of new space systems together with Russia” as one of the basic avenues for international cooperation.