Roscosmos Planetary Exploration Missions

Russia postpones automatic lunar exploration program until 2018

MOSCOW, October 3. /TASS/. Russia has postponed the start of its automatic lunar exploration program from 2016 until 2018, Space Research Institute Director Lev Zelyony said on Friday.

“They [the timelines] have been changed from 2016 to 2018. These are Luna Globe and orbiting Luna [program],” he said, adding that there should be no further delays.

“We want to implement three lunar projects this decade: Luna-25, Luna-26 and Luna-27,” he said.

Zelyony said these timelines have been set in the Federal Space Program proposed by the Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos).

Russian scientists will focus on Moon and Mars exploration and repeat the Phobos-Grunt mission in the next decade, Zelyony said earlier.

“The Moon and Mars are our priority for 2016-2025,” he said.

Russia’s space agency plans to launch full-scale Moon exploration in 2020-30
The Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) in partnership with the European Space Agency will be carrying out two stages of the ExoMars mission in 2016 and 2018.

In 2016, Roscosmos is planning to join Europe and Japan in the BepiColombo project.

In 2017, it will orbit the Spektr-RG telescope and send a Russian rover, Luna-Globe, to the Moon in 2019, for the first time in years.

A UV observatory is to be launched in 2020; an orbiting module and a dropship are scheduled to be sent to the Moon in 2012 and 2023, respectively.

After thoroughly testing lunar and Martian technologies, approximately in 2024, Russia, may repeat its Phobos-Grunt mission to Mars’ satellite Phobos to collect its soil and bring it back to Earth.

Russia-EU Mars Research Program to Be Completed: Roscosmos

The deputy head of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) stated that the works on ExoMars were well under way and two missions will be launched in 2016 and 2018.

MOSCOW, January 12 (Sputnik) — Works on Russia-EU Mars research program ExoMars will be completed, and two missions will be launched in 2016 and 2018, Sergei Savelev, deputy head of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos), said.

"Works on ExoMars are well under way. Our partners from the European Space Agency have repeatedly reaffirmed their desire to implement the project together with Russia. In 2016 a special Mars orbiter will be launched, and its main goal will be to explore the planet's atmosphere. Moreover, it will serve for the data exchange with the Mars rover," Savelev told Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper in an interview that will be released on Tuesday.

According to Savelev, a lander will also descend on Mars to test soft landing. The main part of the program will be carried out in 2018, when a Mars rover with scientific instruments, including the Russian ones, will land on the planet.

As published on the European Space Agency's website, two missions are planned within the ExoMars program for 2016-2018. In 2016, the ExoMars project will launch an orbital probe to Mars, followed by the landing on the Martian surface of a lander module. In 2018, a Martian rover probe will be launched to explore the surface of the planet.

In 2012, the European Space Agency and the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) agreed on developing the so-called ExoMars program with an objective to investigate the Martian environment and to find out whether life ever existed on the planet.

After the United States and its allies introduced several rounds of sanctions over Russia’s alleged role in escalating the Ukrainian crisis, there have been fears that Europe-Russia collaboration in Mars exploration could be hampered.

Russia to send Venus exploration mission in 2025 — designer

George1 wrote:Russia to send Venus exploration mission in 2025 — designer

It would be really something if they managed to design a lander that could operate at 700 K. It would have to be some sort of
crystal design (e.g. using silicon nitride circuits).

They have the best successes so far on Venus... it is not just the temperature, but also the enormous pressure at ground level and of course the sulphuric acid rain...

Phobos-Grunt-2 (Bumerang)
Launch date: 2022




Mars Sample Return-1/2
Launch date: 2024

Russian scientists plan new space expedition to study Jupiter's biggest moon

MOSCOW, April 1. /TASS/. Russian scientists have been planning a new space mission to Ganymede — the biggest Jupiter's moon, Director of the Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP) Mikhail Panasyuk told TASS. The project undertaken jointly with Institute for Nuclear Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences is in a preliminary stage yet when the shape of a space apparatus and a set of scientific equipment on board are being planned and the main goals of the space project are being determined, Panasyuk said.

The scientists are to resolve the task of protection of the space apparatus from the most powerful radiation, he said. Jupiter is an absolutely horrible planet in terms of radiation, which is hundred thousand times stronger near any of Jupiter’s moons than in the radiation field anywhere around the Earth, he said. During the space mission the space apparatus will fly around one of the Jupiter's moons with no touch down planned. The estimated radiation-proof parameters of the equipment on board indicated that the space research apparatus might be present on the surface of Jupiter’s moons for no more than a few dozen minutes. "No such radiation-proof equipment exists yet,"Panasyuk said.

SINP experts have been working on a project called "Intergelio-Zond» for studies of the Sun, which will be launched after 2020. Negotiations with the European Space Agency are underway. The goal is to create an "Intergelio-Zond" system which could operate synchronously with the other European projects, Panasyuk said.

The "Intergelio-Zond" project, intended for studies of the Sun from a close distance equal to 30-40 Sun radiuses, aims to resolve problems of overheated Solar crown, growing wind force and prevention of the most powerful outbreaks of Solar activity-Solar flares.

The dates of launching the space research apparatuses will be specified in the framework of a new Federal space research program expected to be adopted in the next few months.

AlfaT8 wrote:Guys, recently found this article and wondered whether the Russia's nuclear space engine will employ a similar if not exact propulsion method?
http://sputniknews.com/science/20150402/1020349394.html

I love VASIMR technology, been following it for years. In general little progress has been made on it in that amount of time.

Russia has alternate technology in development.

Russian space agency to organize new $198 mln Mars probe in 2024 after faulty mission

The Phobos-Grunt interplanetary probe launched into a near-Earth orbit in 2011 was unable to reach the trajectory of its flight to Mars due to an engine failure

MOSCOW, May 4. /TASS/. The Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) plans to launch a new sample soil expedition to Mars’ satellite Phobos, according to a draft of Russia's new space program for 2016-2025 unveiled on Monday.

Under the document, the Mars-Grunt (Soil) expedition is planned for 2024 to deliver soil samples from the Martian moon Phobos to the Earth. The project is estimated at 10.3 billion rubles ($198 million).

This sum is twice as large as the amount stipulated in the draft federal space program prepared last year.

Roscosmos plans a new interplanetary expedition after a failure of its previous Phobos mission.

The Phobos-Grunt interplanetary probe was launched into a near-Earth orbit on November 9, 2011. The probe was expected to reach the Mars orbit and simultaneously land a module on Mars’ natural satellite Phobos for exploration and the delivery of soil samples to the Earth.

However, the interplanetary probe was unable to reach the trajectory of its flight to Mars due to an engine failure and stayed in the near-Earth orbit.

The probe's debris fell to the Earth on January 15. According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, the Phobos-Grunt probe’s fragments that did not burn in the dense layers of the atmosphere fell into the Pacific Ocean 1,250 km (777 miles) west of Wellington Island (Chile).

I also just read it on TASS. I think it's great we are seeing a restart of this mission. The Martian moons are very interesting objects, it was a real shame the original mission never succeeded.

Roscosmos issued a tender for development of a replacement for Phobos-Grunt
Russian Aviaton » Monday June 1, 2015 14:03 MSK

Roscosmos issued a tender for preparation of a technical proposal for development of a spacecraft designed to deliver soil samples from Phobos (satellite of Mars) to Earth. The corresponding documents were posted at the website dedicated to state procurement, TASS reports.

“The aim is to prepare a technical proposal for development of Bumerang spacecraft designed for exploring satellites of Mars – Phobos and Deimos, as well as delivering soil samples from Phobos to Earth,” said in the documents.

According to the draft Federal Space Program, Roscosmos is going to repeat a mission aimed at getting the soil samples from Phobos (natural satellite of Mars) in 2024. According to the document, the spacecraft will be launched in 2024 in the network of Ekspeditsiya-M (Mars-Grunt) project.

The mission assumes delivery of the soil samples from Phobos to Earth. 10,3 billion rubles will be allocated for this project during 2016-2025 period. This is twice as much as a sum specified in the draft program elaborated last year (5,1 billion rubles). In addition, the launch of the spacecraft in the previous version of the program was scheduled for 2025.

Russia to Land Space Vessel on Moon's Polar Region in 2019 - Source

Russia's spacecraft, projected to land on the moon in 2019, is undergoing trials.

LE BOURGET (Sputnik) – Russia’s lunar research is currently undergoing “Earth trials” before landing on the moon in 2019, a Russian delegation member connected with the development of the space vessel said at an airshow outside Paris on Friday.

“As of today, the main construction documentation has been started and the models for independent and complex trials have been prepared,” the delegate said.

Russia plans to land a research vessel, called Luna-25 (Moon-25) on the moon’s polar region instead of the equator, where all other landings have been centered.

Russian scientists decided to land the spacecraft on the south pole of the moon, as they consider it an area of particular interest.

The researchers plan to explore internal structure of the moon and the impact of the cosmic rays and electromagnetic radiation on the lunar surface, and to search for natural resources in the area.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/science/20150619/1023557318.html#ixzz3dYd1Iik5

Launch of Russia-EU Space Probe to Mars Will Be Postponed

The launch of a space probe to Mars under a joint Russia-EU research program will be delayed until March 14, 2016, for technical reasons, a Russian space industry source said Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The launch of a Russian Proton space rocket carrying the ExoMars-1 orbiter from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan was originally scheduled for January 7, 2016.

According to the source, an official confirmation of the delay is expected to be announced shortly.

"The launch will be postponed due to two technical issues, which are not in the scope of Russia's responsibility," the source said.

"There's nothing alarming in the delay as the 'launch window' allows us to carry out the launch on March 14 and deliver the spacecraft to Mars, with the help of Proton, on time," the source stressed.

In 2012, the European Space Agency and the Russian Federal Space Agency Roscosmos agreed to develop the so-called ExoMars program, with the objective of investigating the environment on Mars and finding out whether life has ever existed on the planet.

As published on the European Space Agency's website, two missions are planned within the ExoMars program for 2016-2018. In 2016, the ExoMars project will launch an orbital probe to Mars, followed by a landing on the Martian surface by a lander module. In 2018, a Mars rover probe is expected to explore the surface of the planet.

After the European Union introduced sanctions against Russia over its alleged role in the Ukrainian internal crisis, concerns mounted that Europe-Russia collaboration on Mars exploration could be hampered.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/science/20150918/1027203414.html#ixzz3m8SliawB

Russia Gets Ready for New Moon Landing



Russia's Space Research Institute is building a space probe to send to the Moon, which will allow Russian scientists to carry out scientific research on the Moon's surface for the first time since unmanned Soviet spacecraft landed there in the 1970s.

The Russian Space Research Institute has given Gazeta.ru an exclusive look at the engineering of the Russian space probe which will be the first to land on the Moon' surface since 1976, and give Russia's researchers the opportunity to explore the Moon' surface in depth.

"The main difference from Soviet missions, which brought back space material to Earth, is that research will be carried out directly on board the probe," explained Vladislav Tretyakov, a researcher in nuclear planetology at the Russian Space Research Institute [IKI].

"Secondly, we must ensure survival during lunar nights, which back then was only achieved only by our 'Lunokhod' rover."

"And of course, this is the first polar mission, insofar as all the previous missions, including ours and those from other nations, were [conducted] at equatorial latitudes."

Most of the instruments for the spacecraft, named 'Luna-Globe' are being made at the IKI; a life-sized model of the probe is currently being exhibited for visitors to the International Air Show in the Moscow suburb of Zhukovsky.

The probe is slated to land in 2016 in the Boguslavsky crater, near the Moon's South Pole, where its four television cameras will immediately begin taking footage of the area. Another two cameras will observe the work of the probe's digging tool and a further two will assist it so that it might move around safely.

In order to survive the harsh nighttime conditions on the Moon, when the temperature can fall from daytime highs of 123 degrees celsius to as low as minus 153 degrees, Luna-Globe is fitted with a radioisotope thermoelectric generator, which provides power by converting the heat generated by the decay of the plutonium-238 isotope into electricity.

The probe's digger, which itself is fitted with an infra-red spectrometer, will hand its findings to the probe's laser mass and neutron gamma spectrometers for analysis.

Another instrument will study the composition of the thin lunar atmosphere, while ceramic plates on the probe will inspect the surface to determine the size, speed, and energy of its dust.

In addition to the instruments built at the IKI, a device made by the Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry will study the thermal properties of lunar soil.

Like the 'Lunokhod' and the US Apollo space missions before it, the reflectors which Luna-Globe takes to the Moon will allow mission scientists to track its smallest movements, and in such a way investigate its internal structure.

"This mission is a scientific-technological one. We want to carry out scientific experiments there, but this is a technological mission in the sense that we need to return to the Moon, learn how to land, and survive the lunar night, since a lot of what was achieved in the 1970's has been forgotten," explained Tretyakov.

"We Need to Return to the Moon" — Journalists from gazeta.ru explored the Luna-Globe in detail.

The Russian Space Research Institute, where the spacecraft is being constructed, was founded in 1965 under the auspices of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, and is now part of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The most important IKI missions were conducted in the 1970s, notably the Venera spacecraft mission series; the Venera ships were the first spacecraft to enter another planet's atmosphere, make a soft landing, and return images and high-res radar mapping studies; Venera remains the only spacecraft to have completed a successful landing on Venus.

In the 1980s and 90s, despite financial difficulties, IKI managed to lead two particularly successful scientific projects; the Interball project to study various plasma processes in the Earth's magnetosphere, and the Granat X-ray and gamma ray astronomy mission to carry out deep imaging of the galactic center and study black hole candidates.

Since the 2000s, the IKI has been involved in a range of international research collaborations, including the Mars Odyssey and Mars Exploration Rovers with NASA, and the Mars Express, Venus Express and INTEGRAL missions, carried out jointly with the European Space Agency.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/russia/20150828/1026297351.html#ixzz3myWwhIdT

Russia Slates Manned Moon Landing for 2029

Russian cosmonauts are expected to make their first steps on the Moon in 2029.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – A manned lunar landing by Russian cosmonauts is planned for 2029, the head of the Russian Space Agency Energia said Tuesday.

“A manned flight to the moon and lunar landing is planned for 2029,” Vladimir Solntsev said during a space technology conference in Moscow.

The Energia chief, a spacecraft components manufacturer, said Russian scientists were building a new spacecraft made of composites specifically for moon missions. Its maiden flight is scheduled for 2021.

In 2023, the spacecraft is due to dock with the International Space Station, with the first unmanned lunar mission set for 2025.

According to earlier reports, Russia plans to land a Luna-25 research vessel on the south pole of the moon instead of its equator, where all other landings have been centered.

The plan is to explore the internal structure of the Earth’s only natural satellite and the impact of the cosmic rays and electromagnetic radiation on its surface, as well as to look for natural resources in the area.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/science/20151027/1029159144/russia-moon-landing-2029.html#ixzz3psEh0MzF

George1 wrote:Russia Slates Manned Moon Landing for 2029

Russian cosmonauts are expected to make their first steps on the Moon in 2029.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – A manned lunar landing by Russian cosmonauts is planned for 2029, the head of the Russian Space Agency Energia said Tuesday.

“A manned flight to the moon and lunar landing is planned for 2029,” Vladimir Solntsev said during a space technology conference in Moscow.

The Energia chief, a spacecraft components manufacturer, said Russian scientists were building a new spacecraft made of composites specifically for moon missions. Its maiden flight is scheduled for 2021.

In 2023, the spacecraft is due to dock with the International Space Station, with the first unmanned lunar mission set for 2025.

According to earlier reports, Russia plans to land a Luna-25 research vessel on the south pole of the moon instead of its equator, where all other landings have been centered.

The plan is to explore the internal structure of the Earth’s only natural satellite and the impact of the cosmic rays and electromagnetic radiation on its surface, as well as to look for natural resources in the area.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/science/20151027/1029159144/russia-moon-landing-2029.html#ixzz3psEh0MzF

They better give this composite spacecraft a strong magnetic field to deflect the relativistic electrons and protons that can pass through even 0.25 inch
aluminum like it was not there. Being irradiated by these high energy electrons and protons can be lethal depending on luck, for example if the
solar CME is intense and directed aimed at the spacecraft.

I think we will see the truth of the lunar landing of the 1960s in the 2030s. I find it bizarre how none of the Apollo astronauts noted the
eyes full of sparkles effect that the Shuttle astronauts observed when the Shuttle followed a high orbit (about 1000 km above the surface
instead of the usual 350 km). The Shuttle astronauts really did go on this trip and experience the electron flux in the Earth's complex
Van Allen belts. One can question whether the Apollo astronauts ever ascended beyond LEO.

Roscosmos and ESA: Spacecraft EXOMARS 2016 Mission arrival at Baikonur

Russian company to produce lander module for Exomars-2020 mission in 2019 — source

Russia’s Lavochkin Company will complete fabrication of a lander module with a platform for the second stage of Exomars space mission scheduled to 2020

MOSCOW, November 21. /TASS/. Russia’s Lavochkin Company will complete fabrication of a lander module with a platform for the second stage of Exomars space mission scheduled to 2020, a source in the space industry told TASS on Monday.

"The unit consists of two components - flying and landing modules. It is intended to complete production of the unit and the landing platform nine months’ prior to launching the second Exomars mission, that is, in 2019," the source said.

Lavochkin has already started fabrication of the unit and the platform, the source said. "Their comprehensive tests will be carried in Europe," he added.

The second phase of Exomars mission is scheduled to 2020. Dispatch of the Russian landing platform and the European Mars rover is provided at this stage of the research project. Drilling and testing of Mars soil will be the key objectives of the stage. Researchers believe traces of organic life may be preserved at the depth of several meters.


More:
http://tass.com/science/913766

George1 wrote:
The project will use Russia’s Venera-D (Venera is Venus in Russian), where "D" stands for Dolgozhivuschaya (long-lasting) — the first Russian project in the post-Soviet period aimed to explore Venus.

How long is it supposed to last in the hellish environment?

George1 wrote:
The second phase of Exomars mission is scheduled to 2020. Dispatch of the Russian landing platform and the European Mars rover is provided at this stage of the research project. Drilling and testing of Mars soil will be the key objectives of the stage.

Where will it drill--Chrysea?

Researchers believe traces of organic life may be preserved at the depth of several meters.

Yeah, besides the need to avoid surface UV and cosmic rays any extant organic matter must be below the zone of surface oxidation. I'm skeptical they'll find anything. Mars has been overrated as a potential abode of life. Exobiology would probably benefit more from emphasis on exoplanets instead.

They seem to now think that life is rather more abundant in the universe than previously thought... mainly due to finding it on Earth in places previously believed to be void of life.

The obvious problem can be considered the same as that of earth... drop an aircraft randomly on the surface of earth and dig and you probably wont find a dinosaur bone or fossil there.

Of course with their knowledge today they can narrow down where they search, but it is still very much hit and miss and I expect the first few times they might just find layers of rock showing historic conditions that were suitable for life or show evidence of previous states of liquid water etc.

A summary of the status of Russian planetary exploration program.

Approved/Near-term missions

In partnership with ESA

1. ExoMars orbiter - 2016 (Ongoing)
2. ExoMars 2020 surface platform (Mars lander and rover) - 2020 (Scheduled)


Lunar program

Luna-25 (Glob) polar lander -  2019 (Scheduled)
Luna-26 (Glob) orbiter - 2021 (Scheduled)
Luna-27 (Resurs) lander - 2021 (Scheduled)


Proposed/Concepts for the 2020s

1. Luna-28 (Luna-Grunt) sample return - 2024
2. Boomerang Phobos sample return - 2025
3. "Venera-D" lander(s) & orbiter(s) - 2025
4. "Mars-Grunt" sample return - 2025
5. "Laplace-P" Ganymede lander - 2030
6. Mercury-P - 2031