MOSCOW, April 11. /TASS/. Russian orbital stations may be set up on the Moon and on Mars in the next 50 years while space tugs for space tourists may appear on the International Space Station in the next 10-15 years, according to the Head of the country’s Federal Space Agency Igor Komarov speaking with RT TV news channel.
"I think we are looking at a lot of progress to be made in the next 55 years, and a lot of exciting developments. I think we will see a mission to Mars, and I think that Russia together with its partners in other countries will set up an orbital station on Mars. I’m sure there will also be a lot of research activity on the Moon, including the creation of a lunar base and a lunar orbital station. By the way, we are already discussing such plans with our partners in NASA and the European Space Agency," Komarov said.
"The concept of a low-orbit space station, which today is the International Space Station, will also change significantly, assuming an entirely different set of functions, such as the servicing of spacecraft and space tugs, particularly for purposes of traveling to the Moon and to Mars. It will also serve other purposes, hopefully including space tourism," he added.
As was reported earlier the ISS operation period has been extended until 2024 - the corresponding announcement was made by Russia, the United States, Canada and Japan. The European Space Agency continues to discuss this issue within the framework of drafting its long-term budget. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said the station could successfully operate until 2028.