[FPSPACE] Russia plans its first lunar fly-by mission

[cpvick]

Dear Nick Watkins,

This is precisely the mission I suggested to the late Dr. Maxim
Tarasenko using the up-rated Proton and a Zond-TM ( A Soyuz-TM revised
for a lunar mission) that could orbit over the lunar poles as a part of
its scientific mission taking advantage of the Russian launch site
potential. At the time during the Yeltsin administrations latter days
second term this did not seem practical but times have changed. 
I believe and correct me if I am wrong that Semenov remains the Chief
Designer of the S. P. Korolev Energia Corporation even though he is no
longer its president. He may have resigned that post but that is not
clear to me. 
This also brings up the potentiality question of the Russians flying
double Proton launched and Earth Orbital Rendezvous LOK-TM to carry out
a lunar orbit mission again using updated similar existing hardware. 
It also brings up the question of the utility of putting the Soyuz
spacecraft out of production to soon before its usefulness has been
totally exhausted. To me it says for the Russians it has a lot more life
left in it that previously considered. 
I would think the Russians would not like to be one upped by the Chinese
with such a lunar circumnavigation mission in the 2010-2015 time frame.
I would think the Russians could easily do it very soon with off the
shelf hardware funds provided. Further it could do a very useful Lunar
polar scientific mission that the US could contribute greatly.
Well maybe I am dreaming or totally wrong deluding myself but lets hope
its becomes reality.
 
CPVICk
 
-----Original Message-----
From: fpspace-bounces at friends-partners.org
[mailto:fpspace-bounces at friends-partners.org] On Behalf Of Nick Watkins
Sent: Monday, August 01, 2005 6:10 PM
To: DwayneDay; fpspace at friends-partners.org
Subject: [FPSPACE] Russia plans its first lunar fly-by mission
 
And while we are on subject of lunar architectures ...
Does anyone know anything they can talk about re this
?
 
N
 
 
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/bal-te.russia30jul30,1,7212
724.story?coll=bal-news-nation&ctrack=1&cset=true
 
Russia plans its first lunar fly-by mission
Soviet-era 'Soyuz' craft would be modified for
two-week mission
By Douglas Birch
Sun Foreign Staff
Originally published July 30, 2005
 
MOSCOW - At a time when American manned missions have
been suspended because of design flaws in the space
shuttle, Russian authorities want to spin past the
moon with a humble vehicle now serving as NASA's space
taxi.
 
Not only are Russian officials planning their nation's
first lunar fly-by, according to Russian media
reports, but they hope to make the mission at least
partly self-financing by selling a seat aboard the
venerable Soyuz spacecraft for $100 million.
 
 
 
 
 
            
___________________________________________________________ 
To help you stay safe and secure online, we've developed the all new
Yahoo! Security Centre. http://uk.security.yahoo.com
_______________________________________________
FPSPACE mailing list
FPSPACE at friends-partners.org
http://www.friends-partners.org/mailman/listinfo/fpspace