Scientists of Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences were developing Kuznechik jumping moon probe designed for studying the moon craters, however, the project was cancelled due to its cost and complexity, TASS reports with reference to the Director of the institute, Lev Zeleniy.

He explained that Russian scientists are interested in exploration of moon craters; sunrays powering spacecraft (via solar batteries) can’t reach the inner part of many craters. “That is why we have suggested Kuznechik project. A landing module lands near a crater, a small probe separates from the module and starts descending leaping down the crater, then it takes soil samples and goes up to the surface,” Zeleniy said.

However, the scientist confirmed that the project appeared to be rather expensive and complex. “The idea is very interesting, but it is kind of unreal,” he said.

According to Zeleniy, an ice made of water may be found in craters located near the lunar poles. The first in many years Russian mission to the Moon designated Luna-25 may be sent to one of such craters; the launch is scheduled for 2017. Zeleniy added that this refers to Boguslawsky crater located near the Moon’s South Pole.

Zeleniy added that the Space Research Institute developed a Korvet concept combining manned and unmanned lunar program. The concept was included in the deep-space exploration program.

“In cooperation with NPO Lavochkin we have developed the Korvet concept. It is an interim step between unmanned and manned program. The concept includes placing a spacecraft with astronauts into the moon orbit. The spacecraft will be equipped with a small automatic landing module able to carry out five or six landings in the course of one mission; it will land in different parts of the Moon and take soil samples and then return to the spacecraft. It will unload the soil samples, undergo maintenance, refuel and return to the surface of the Moon,” Zeleniy said.

He stated that Korvet was included in the draft program, which is being considered by the government. The document offers a number of scenarios for integration of Russian manned flight program and lunar exploration program.

Earlier the Official Secretary – Deputy head of the Federal Space Agency, Denis Liskov, said that the manned mission to the Moon is scheduled for a period after 2030 in the network of the draft deep-space exploration program. Before that Zeleniy reported that Russian astronauts will perform flight around the Moon in mid-2020s and land on the Moon in late 2020s.