ZHUKOVSKY, Moscow region. Aug 21 (Interfax-AVN) - The Khimki-based Lavochkin scientific and production association is developing roving vehicles that could be used to study the Moon and Mars, Georgy Polishchuk, CEO of the famous space industry company, told Interfax-AVN.
"Look how space equipment is changing. Our first moon crawler developed at the Lavochkin association in the 1970s weighed about a tonne. What we are planning to take to the Moon and Mars today weighs one hundred kilos," Polishchuk, who heads his company's delegation to the MAKS 2007 aerospace show in Zhukovsky, said.
Two moon crawlers developed at the Lavochkin association performed successful missions to the Moon. One of the tree vehicles built at that stage is in the company's museum.
Polishchuk said that the new space vehicles have been nicknamed nanorovers for their small size. "They will have features absolutely different from those of their predecessors. And their number will be absolutely different," he said.
"Russia is reviving its program for the study of the Moon and Mars. Resources are being made available. There are concrete programs and deadlines," he said.
In the future pilot fields will be established on the Moon, in particular for extracting minerals and generating energy, he said
The Lavochkin association is preparing for the Phobos Ground experiment, which stipulates a flight of a space probe to Phobos, the satellite of Mars, landing on its surface, sampling its soil and returning to Earth, Polishchuk said. The takeoff of the probe is scheduled for 2009.