Apart from building a human colony on Mars, scientists are also planning to build up a colony on the moon, and as per Russian scientists they will make it happen within 20 years.

Russian space agency Roscosmos recently revealed its plans to build up a human colony on the moon with 20 years, by 2040. Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin expressed that this step is ‘very important moment for Roscosmos.

Rogozin informed that the firm was struggling with financial burdens, but there was a clear five-year plan that would lead to a new age of space technology, reported The Sun.

Russia to build luxurious hotel in space for tourists

Researcher Anatoly Petrukovich explained that a Mars trip with the existing space travel technology is very difficult, thus travelling to the moon is more logical goal. “The project we are experimenting with is for the long-term habitation by humans. It is about a colony on the surface of the moon.”

The plan included a three-stage lunar project which involved the creation of the module orbiting the moon, then landing of workers involved in the construction of the base, and finally the establishment of a lunar colony that among other things will maintain a telescope on the dark side of the moon.

As per the head designer at Russia’s space program, Yevgeny Mikrin, working on this project could begin by 2025. However, final plans about the program will be completed by next year.

Meanwhile, NASA is planning to go back to the moon too and has recently partnered with nine private firms to help it achieve its goal. NASA plans to award about $2.6 billion over the course of 10 years that the companies can compete for. They further plan to go on to Mars, reported Mashable.