Leading space science figure Lev Zeleny, who directs research at the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, indicated that the autonomous lunar probe Luna-27b could be dispatched either toward the Moon’s South Pole or toward its far side. The space agency TASS reported Zeleny’s remarks, noting that his team envisions the first instrument landing in the southern region to test critical systems, with potential follow‑up operations in other lunar locales if the initial mission proves successful.
In the scientist’s plan, the second lander would explore alternative sites, possibly the North Pole of the Moon or territories near the polar regions on the far side. The goal is to verify landing technologies, power systems, and long‑duration operations in extreme lunar environments before proceeding with broader exploration objectives. This approach would allow researchers to compare how hardware behaves in distinctly different lunar terrains while refining mission architectures for future expeditions.
Earlier, researchers from the University of California, Kansas Geological Survey, suggested that human activities have altered the Moon’s surface, ushering in a new geological era they call the Lunar Anthropocene. They point to the long arc of human involvement with the Moon since the first establishment of a surface presence in 1959, when Luna 2 first touched down on lunar soil. Since then, more than a hundred spacecraft have reached the Moon, with several missions culminating in crashes that still contribute data to our understanding of the satellite environment. Among the most notable programs in lunar exploration is the American Apollo program, which made crewed landings on the Moon possible and fundamentally reshaped humanity’s view of space and science.
“This comparison to the Earth’s Anthropocene helps researchers frame how human activity leaves traces on planetary bodies, even when they are far from Earth,” said Justin Holcomb, the study’s lead author. The discussion underscores how settlements, experiments, and debris accumulate on lunar surfaces and in surrounding regolith, influencing future mission planning and any consideration of sustained presence on the Moon.
In related developments, reports from observers in Russia indicated ongoing efforts to push the boundaries of satellite technology. The narrative around perpetual motion ideas for satellites reflects the broader urge to improve long‑term energy solutions for space platforms, even as engineers weigh the practicality and physics of such concepts in the context of orbital mechanics and reliability under space conditions. The overall dialogue highlights the ambition driving contemporary lunar science: to unlock the Moon’s mysteries while building durable capabilities for human and robotic exploration alike. In this spirit, space agencies continue to chart routes that expand knowledge, test new instruments, and lay the groundwork for future lunar bases and sustained activity in cislunar space.