Mercury, Venus & Jupiter

Mission Planned

By NPO Lavochkin

07-26-10/5-3-11

In mid July 2010 the NPO Lovochkin lunar planetary exploration vehicle developers indicated they are planning a unscrewed Mercury exploration spacecraft project. It was suggested that the robotic spacecraft will be based on the Phobos-Grunt spacecraft design. The preliminary design studies are at present in progress with a target date for launch to Mercury four to five years down the planning cycle. The intent is not merely to pass by or orbit the spacecraft but to in fact land on the planets surface. Lovochkin is also considering similar missions to Venus renewing that effort once again beside the present Mars and its moon Phobos exploration effot.

Among the un-crewed deep space missions being considered as of February 2011 are several planetary projects: Mercury-P, Venus-D, Mars and Sokol Laplas-Jupiter spacecraft missions and their satellites for exploration as well as Luna-Globe and Luna-Resurs projects for lunar exploration.