Roscosmos announces plans for permanent lunar bases after 2036

Russia's space agency, Roscosmos, has announced ambitious plans to establish permanent, automated lunar bases starting after 2036. Officials stated that the nation is implementing a 2026–2036 space technology program focused on deep-space exploration through federal projects such as ‘Space Science’ and ‘Space Atom’.

Key technical priorities for these missions include the development of nuclear-powered rocket engines, highly isolated life-support systems, and the establishment of lunar nuclear reactors. Officials noted that determining optimal landing sites and securing reliable power supplies remain the primary challenges for lunar colonization.

These long-term goals come amid significant operational difficulties for the Russian space program. Recent years have seen historic launch lows, technical delays, and setbacks, including the 2023 Luna-25 crash. Current timelines for uncrewed lunar flights have been pushed from 2027 to 2028, and officials have indicated there are no active plans for piloted deep-space missions within the next decade.