Russia to Join USA for Lunar Exploration

MOSCOW, December 5 (RIA Novosti) - Russia will join the U.S Moon exploration program if Washington provides the necessary funding, a Russian space representative said Tuesday.

After U.S. President George W. Bush announced his Vision for Space Exploration in 2004, a plan for new manned lunar missions, the country's National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) elaborated a program that envisions the construction of a manned lunar base, which will require broad international cooperation.

"If the U.S. offers the necessary financing for Russia to participate in its national lunar program, Russia is likely to accept the proposal," said Igor Panarin, a spokesman for the Russian Space Agency.