Russia Defines Exploration Area for Lunar Rover Focused on Future Moon Base

Russia has officially determined the location where its upcoming lunar research rover will operate, a senior officials at Roscosmos said. The selected area is considered one of the most promising regions for future lunar infrastructure and scientific activity.

Photo: commons.wikimedia.org by Armael, https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Lunokhod 1 moon rover (MMA 2011) (2)

Strategic Location for Future Lunar Base

Deputy Director of the Department of Space Systems at Roscosmos, Denis Kutovoy, confirmed that the rover will conduct operations within a preselected zone on the Moon.

"The research rover will move within an already chosen area on the Moon, which is the most interesting from the standpoint of creating a lunar base. It will operate there and study the lunar soil,” Kutovoy said.

The mission is expected to focus on detailed analysis of the regolith, geological structure, and environmental conditions critical for sustained human and robotic activity.

Seven Lunar Missions Planned Through 2036

Russia's lunar ambitions extend well beyond a single rover mission. In September, Lev Zeleny, scientific director of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, stated that Russia plans to launch seven spacecraft to the Moon by 2036.

These missions are expected to include orbital probes, landing modules, and surface exploration vehicles, forming a comprehensive research program aimed at long-term lunar exploration.

Funding for Lunar Program Begins in 2025

The renewed momentum behind Russia's lunar strategy follows confirmation that official funding will begin in 2025. In May, Gennady Krasnikov, President of the Russian Academy of Sciences, announced that financial support for the lunar program had been formally approved.

The decision signals a shift toward sustained investment in deep-space exploration, positioning the Moon as a key priority for Russia's future space activities.

With a designated rover site, confirmed funding, and a multi-mission roadmap, Russia is laying the groundwork for a long-term presence on the lunar surface.