Russia eyes building its own space station, organizing moon missions

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russia is working to building its own space station, organizing missions to the moon and launching serial production of spacecraft, head of the country's space agency Roscosmos said on Wednesday.

Speaking to Russia's TASS news agency on Cosmonautics Day, which marks the first manned space flight on April 12, 1961 by Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, Yury Borisov said the construction of Russian Orbital Service Station and organization of moon missions are key priorities in space exploration.

Russia also continues development of a new manned spacecraft Oryol (Eagle) and launching serial production of space aircraft, he added.

Asked about space tourism, the official said talks are underway with representatives of a number of foreign countries who want to travel to outer space.

"Negotiations are at different stages. You will learn about the results after reaching agreements and concluding contracts," he said.