MOSCOW. Nov 7 (Interfax) - The new Russian space station is being designed to operate for 50 years and help prepare for long interplanetary flights that will be made by prospective spacecraft, Energia Rocket and Space Corporation General Designer, Deputy General Director, member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vladimir Solovyov said.
"We are designing the Russian space station and are declaring [...] 50 years of operation," Solovyov said at the space biology and aerospace medicine conference themed The Earth - Orbit - Deep Space on Tuesday.
This period is necessary to prepare for long interplanetary flights that will be made by prospective spacecraft, he said.
Russia plans to build a national space station as a replacement for the International Space Station. The project's first stage is due in 2027-2030, and construction will be finalized in 2032.
The Roscosmos head reported on October 27 that the national space station project had been approved, and around 609 billion rubles would be allocated before 2032.