Russia's Space Chief Announces Commencement of Lunar Resource Race Following Unsuccessful Moon Mission

MOSCOW, Aug 21 - Embracing the exciting quest to harness the moon's abundant resources has kicked off, and Russia is determined to maintain its role in this endeavor despite a setback encountered during its recent lunar mission, stated the head of Russia's esteemed space agency, Roskosmos, on Monday.

The Luna-25 spacecraft from Russia encountered a navigational hiccup and unfortunately met the moon's surface on Saturday, marking a point of reflection on the trajectory of a once-mighty space program that saw its prime during the Soviet era.

In an interview with the Russia-24 state TV station, Roskosmos chief Yury Borisov conveyed a sense of determination, emphasizing that Russia's steadfast commitment to lunar exploration aligns harmoniously with the nation's essential interests.

[1/2]Captured through the lens of the lunar landing spacecraft Luna-25, this snapshot during its celestial journey to the moon showcases the mission emblem and the lunar manipulator complex on August 15, 2023. Image courtesy: Roscosmos/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY Obtain Licensing Rights

"It goes beyond mere national prestige or the pursuit of geopolitical objectives. It's about safeguarding our defenses and establishing technological sovereignty," he affirmed, marking his first public response after the unforeseen incident.

"In the present day, this holds practical significance as well, considering the ongoing race to tap into the moon's natural resources. Looking ahead, the moon is poised to become an invaluable platform for extensive exploration of deep space – an absolute frontier."

Amidst these aspirations, Russia has resolutely announced plans for forthcoming lunar missions, followed by the contemplation of a collaborative crewed venture with China, and potentially even the establishment of a lunar outpost. Notably, NASA has echoed the notion of a "lunar gold rush" and has delved into the potentials of lunar resource extraction.

While the United States unveiled the Artemis Accords in 2020, named in honor of NASA's Artemis lunar program, with an intent to refine international space law by delineating "safety zones" on the moon, Russia and China have opted out of these accords, choosing their distinct trajectories.

Source : Reuters (Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin)