Global Space Exploration Conference | Russia Announces Intent to Build Moon Bases

Global Space Exploration Conference - May 22, 2012
Speaker (left): Popovkin Vladimir Alexandrovich, head of Russian space agency ROSCOSMOS (with translator on the right)

Global Space Exploration Conference Full video

News article:
'Russia Will Build a Permanent Moon Base'

"This isn't the first time we've heard Russia talk ambitious plans for the Moon; back in March, leaked documents outlined a number of the country's deep space mission objectives (including sending probes to Jupiter and Venus, and conducting "a demonstrative manned circumlunar test flight, with the subsequent landing of cosmonauts on [the Moon's] surface"); but it's the context of Tuesday's announcement that makes it especially noteworthy.

For one thing, Russia's not alone in their lunar ambitions; Japan has made its interests in Moon exploration clear, as well. Nor is Russia alone in its willingness to work with other countries in achieving its goals; the benefits of international collaboration, were, after all, a central theme at Tuesday's space summit. Which calls attention to something important about Tuesday's multinational conference: America's conspicuous absence." Read more here