Russian programs of the Moon and Mars exploration by automated spacecrafts: heritage and prospects.
- Paper number
IAC-06-A3.3.04
- Author
Dr. Victor V. Vorontsov, Lavochkin Association, Russia
- Year
2006
- Abstract
As is well known, Russia has gained an extensive experience in creation of automated spacecrafts for studies of the Moon, Mars and Venus. In 2006 it will be the fortieth anniversary since the first soft landing on Luna surface has been performed. At that time everything was for the first time: the first satellites, the first landers, the first rovers, the first soil sample delivery to the Earth from another celestial body, the first man on the Moon, and etc. Then it all happened as a competition of two super states. Presently the world has changed. Europe, China, India, Japan and other countries following Russia and the United States are working on scale plans for the Moon and Mars exploration. Now challenges are being issued to complex step-by-step studies to provide subsequent manned flights and creation of the Moon and the Martian bases. Brilliant success of the last Mars missions of NASA and European Space Agency, and the Moon, Mars and Phobos missions under study prove seriousness of approach and necessity to join efforts. Definitely, future exploration will be based on technical advances which have been proved during previous years. Before proceeding to manned missions it will be required: 1) to carry out global research, to receive data on options of different parameters, to study different regions and to make recommendations on future missions; 2) to apply a range of engineering solutions in the first place such as landing, long-term stay on surface, launch from the surface, if necessary, rendezvous in orbit of artificial satellite, radio communication management, quarantine and sterilization measures, and etc.
- Abstract document