Roscosmos’ spacecraft systems deputy director Kutovoi said Russia intends to
build a permanent automated lunar base after 2036. Primary challenges are site
selection and power supply. The agency is assembling a science-and-technology
reserve and raising technical readiness, prioritizing development of nuclear
thermal rocket engines and highly isolated life‑support systems. Kutovoi noted
payload delivery to the Moon costs roughly 50 times per kg versus ISS orbit,
making maximum autonomy and closed systems critical for future crewed lunar
operations. Roscosmos plans to build and test a prototype highly isolated
life‑support system.
