Russian Plans For The Moon

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31341, 11 April 1967, Page 10

Russian Plans For The Moon

Twice a year, in May and October, the world press agencies tense slightly in expectation of a Soviet space spectacular. May is fast approaching. The speculations this time centre on the possible launch of a manned space station or perhaps another soft landing on the moon. Either way, the event will be another step in Russia’s plan to land men on the moon.

The Soviet moon programme is every bit as serious as America’s Project Apollo and it is somewhat puzzling that they have not flown any men in space for over two years. Perhaps the Americans are not the only ones to strike trouble with manned space vehicle systems.

The outward quietness of the Soviet manned space programme is a false indicator of its activity. Evidence is emerging of concerted research, particularly in the field of space medicine. Since the seventeenth congress of the International Astronautical Federation in Madrid last September the papers and reports presented by Soviet scientists have been analysed in detail and the conclusions, coupled with deductions from recent Russian space shots, point to some interesting new projects, Soon there may be an attempt to place as many as five men in earth orbit for up to one month in order to make detailed medical studies of human adaptation to weightless conditions. It also seems likely that several space walks will be undertaken. They will test new space-suits designed to overcome the difficulties of mobility experienced by Alexei Leonov; the first man to walk in space. '■ ■ the moon. Present Soviet booster rockets are certainly equal to this task and it seems to be one of the basic, tenets in the philosophy shaping Russia’s space plans that dogs should always precede men.

Present Soviet space thinking appears to be just as farranging as that of the Ameri-

cans. Dr. I. T. Akulinichev, in a recent article, deals with the formidable problems in establishing a permanent station on the moon. He points out the necessity to assay the moon’s resources and notes their potential. Within ten years the Soviet Union could be mining and “farming" the moon. It is beginning to look as if one of the first tasks of the early moon explorers will be to stake out claims. But who will award the mining rights?