Search for Extraterrestial Life Included in Russian Space Program

Projects for searching for extraterrestial life forms, studying climate changes on Earth, and defining the level of threat from dangerous comets and asteroids have been included in Russia's space program for 2016-2025, according to a copy of the Federal Space Program's document.

Projects will include sending satellites and interplanetary laboratories into orbit around Mars and Earth's moon.

On Wednesday, Igor Komarov, head of Russia's space agency, Roscosmos, said that the new space program would allow Russia to carry out a manned mission around the Moon in 2025 and a manned landing on the Earth's natural satellite in 2029.

He added that the program stipulates the expansion of Russia's orbital grouping to 181 satellites.

Russian Federal Space Program for 2016-2025 is expected to be submitted to the government by June 10, 2015.

According to Roscosmos, the budgetary requirements for Russia's federal space program through 2025 will be approximately $37 billion.

Source: Sputnik News