Russia will create a modified version of the spacecraft “Soyuz-MS”, which will be used for missions to the moon. The head of the Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin, in early January said that American colleagues at NASA have asked the Russian side to create any ship for missions to Earth’s satellite. Roskosmos has decided on the design, according to RIA Novosti, however, carried it will be without the financial participation of the American side.
That use of “Unions” for manned missions to the moon, until the new space ship “Federation”, the Russian head of the state Corporation reported last summer.
In an interview with the Rossiya24 TV channel, Rogozin said that Roscosmos has made a final decision to restore it to the moon.
“In 2021, we will send the first spacecraft to the moon. Following vehicles — “Luna-25”, “Luna-26”, “Luna-27″ — fly, respectively, in 23-25 years. In particular this will be the development of technologies for landing and takeoff from lunar surface”, — said the head of “Roskosmos”.
According to the RIA Novosti news Agency information, creating a “lunar” versions of the “Union” will require a whole range of work. So, you will have to develop a new upper stage, able to send a new ship to the moon. It will also require the creation of a new thermal protection device. Without it, the machine will not be able to go back into the earth’s atmosphere, slowing down from the second cosmic velocity (11.2 kilometres per second). Will need to re-work the electronics and power supply system of the vehicle, communication systems and life support systems. It is also planned the installation of star sensors, systems, manual control, evaporative system, extra engines and oxygen tanks.
According to preliminary estimates, announced another year 2017, the cost of modification of the “Union” under the lunar program could reach $ 500 million. Though then it was only about the preparation of the apparatus for the flyby of the satellite, but not about his landing on the surface.
According to earlier data of the TASS Agency refers to a source in the rocket and space industry, Roskosmos and RSC Energia has already vetted the concept of a new transport system for manned missions to orbit the moon. The ship is planned to send to the satellite with the orbit of the ISS. It will consist of a special version of the spacecraft “Soyuz MS” and the upper stage.
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