MOSCOW, August 7The new «lunar race» began due to the desire of a number of countries, including Russia, to catch up with China in the study of the Earth's satellite, on the far side of the Moon, you can explore the Universe without radio interference, and water has been found at its South Pole, said the astronomer, senior researcher at the State Astronomical Institute Sternberg Moscow State University named after Lomonosov Vladimir Surdin.
“A few years ago, China joined the work of American and European space researchers and is very active — today it has the most successful lunar program … Since China has demonstrated its space ambitions, other countries that are already experienced in this direction have decided to keep up, and now , we can say that the second space race has begun,” said Surdin. en/20230806/astronom-1888414405.html» data-title='The astronomer estimated the chances of success of the Russian Luna-25 mission at 50 percent'>
He noted that the Moon is promising for many purposes. «This is also astronomy, especially on the far side of the Moon — there are wonderful conditions for radio astronomers, radio interference from the Earth does not come there, you can quietly explore the Universe there … On Earth, there are already such interference that you can’t hear space, you can do it on the Moon», — added the astronomer.
He also stressed that water in the form of ice has been found in the area of the South Pole of the Moon, where many countries are now «rushing».
«Water is a resource , the only one reliably discovered there, it is almost on the surface, under a small layer of soil. Maybe there are other resources, but for this it is necessary to drill the Moon, but so far no one has started such hard work,» Surdin explained.
According to him, the water on the moon can be used for the astronauts themselves, for equipment, as well as for the manufacture of rocket fuel.
In 2019, China launched the next phase of its lunar program — the first ever landing on the far side of the moon. The landing platform and the Yutu-2 lunar rover have successfully operated in uncharted territory for several months and continue to study the Moon.
In August, Roscosmos plans to launch the first Russian lunar station, Luna-25, in almost 50 years. It should be the first station in history to land on the South Pole of the Moon (near the parallel of 70 degrees south latitude). The main objectives of the mission will be the development of soft landing technologies, research of the internal structure and exploration of resources, including water.