Russia is considering the development of a reusable lunar hopper capable of multiple landings and takeoffs. According to Anatoly Petrukovich, director of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the project could potentially be realized around 2040.
The proposed spacecraft is designed to land on the lunar surface, collect soil samples, and return to orbit. Once in orbit, the samples would be transferred to another vehicle for delivery to Earth, allowing the hopper to descend again to a different location.
The concept is currently excluded from the national space program for 2026–2036. Experts note that the project requires significant infrastructure on lunar orbit, specifically for fuel storage and transfer, to support regular missions between the surface and orbit.
Technical complexity remains a primary hurdle for the initiative. Before implementing a reusable system, Russia must first master the fundamental technologies of a single-cycle lunar landing and subsequent ascent from the surface.
