A manned lunar landing by Russian cosmonauts is planned for 2029, the head of the Russian Space Agency Energia said Tuesday.

"A manned flight to the moon and lunar landing is planned for 2029," Vladimir Solntsev said during a space technology conference in Moscow.

The Energia chief, a spacecraft components manufacturer, said Russian scientists were building a new spacecraft made of composites specifically for moon missions. Its maiden flight is scheduled for 2021.

In 2023, the spacecraft is due to dock with the International Space Station, with the first unmanned lunar mission set for 2025.

According to earlier reports, Russia plans to land a Luna-25 research vessel on the south pole of the moon instead of its equator, where all other landings have been centered.

The plan is to explore the internal structure of the Earth's only natural satellite and the impact of the cosmic rays and electromagnetic radiation on its surface, as well as to look for natural resources in the area.

Source: Sputnik News