Manned bases may be built around Moon poles - scientist

Manned bases will most probably be built around the Moon's poles, laboratory head from the Russian Academy of Sciences Space Research Institute Igor Mitrofanov told reporters on Tuesday.

"We are intensifying cooperation with the purpose of exploring these new areas of the Moon and constructing polar bases in the future," he said at a press conference on the sidelines of a solar system symposium hosted by the institute on Tuesday.

Previous research focused on the equatorial areas of the Moon, but scientists need to study the poles now, he said.

"We have come to realize in the 21st century that certain regions of the Moon differ significantly from the lunar equator by their nature and development opportunities," Mitrofanov stressed.

The Luna-27 landing module will test the high-precision landing system, which will reduce the possible drop zone from 30 kilometers to two or three kilometers.

Reportedly, ice has been found near the lunar poles. Scientists say the ice may be used by the future inhabitants of manned lunar bases.

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