Dmitry Bakanov, head of Roscosmos, has held talks with Elon Musk about potential cooperation in the field of deep space exploration.
Various topics were discussed, including sending people to Mars.
“We discussed potential joint cooperation in deep space. Elon is a very passionate person. He is really passionate about the idea of colonizing Mars. It is possible that some technologies can be applied jointly to implement programs in deep space,” Bakanov commented.
He said in an interview that Musk is a key figure in global cosmonautics, thanks to the achievements of SpaceX.
“Falcon 9, Starlink, Dragon, Starship, Falcon Heavy – all these are SpaceX products. They occupy a significant share in a number of space services markets. Here we can only compete, because their technologies are very developed,” Bakanov emphasized.
Roscosmos specialists are convinced that before a flight to Mars, it is necessary to test all technologies on the Moon.
To this end, Russian scientists are already developing a nuclear power plant for operation on the lunar surface, which is expected to be ready by 2030.
It will power the future lunar station, on which Russia is working together with China and other partner countries.
The project is part of a new national project for the development of space activities in Russia, which will start on January 1, 2026 and will last 10 years.
Bakanov noted that a number of conditions will have to be met for manned flights to Mars.
“It is necessary to catch the astronomical window when the planets are arranged in a certain configuration. It is necessary to develop a solution that will allow the infrastructure there to function smoothly so that there is no risk to life. It is necessary to study how the human body will pass through the radiation belts during a flight to Mars. According to various estimates, including those of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a flight to Mars and back can lead to radiation sickness,” the expert also said in an interview quoted by ProKosmos.
Musk has repeatedly stated that a flight to Mars is SpaceX’s main goal for the coming years.
At the end of May, he indicated the end of 2026 as the most favorable period for implementing this plan.
It is planned to send Starship, the most powerful rocket-space system in the world, to the Red Planet. However, the timing will depend on the success of the upcoming test flights.
If the flight takes place, it will initially be unmanned, with the humanoid robot Optimus on board.
If successful, crews will be sent on a second or third flight.
Meanwhile, NASA plans to use Starship to land humans on the Moon by 2027—the first time in 50 years since the Apollo era.
Illustrative Photo by meomupmofilm : https://www.pexels.com/photo/vibrant-nebula-and-galaxy-in-outer-space-33161079/
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First published in this link of The European Times.
