To create super-heavy launch vehicle, which will be carried out flights to the moon will take about 15 years, said the Director-General of the Central research Institute of machine building (TsNIIMash) Gennady Raykunov.

"These missiles are now being developed on the basis of backlog, which received booster "Angara-5"is "Amur" and "Enisey". Somewhere in 2028 they must be ready to launch heavy objects, including for flights to the moon," said the Raykunov in an interview to "Rossiyskaya Gazeta", which will be published on Friday, Interfax reports.

Answering the question whether used touched on previously created in our country the world's most powerful rocket "Energia", capable of carrying 100 tons, Raykunov said, "Such proposals are heard. But it's not easy. It is necessary to use completely different design principles that other engines, other control systems, other diameters fuel tanks. The fundamental work".

According to Rykunova, a new super-heavy rocket is scheduled to launch from the cosmodrome East.

"For the Eastern spaceport it is primarily intended. There after 2020 it is planned to create launchers for booster heavy class, and after 2028 already put payload", - he said.

The raykunov also appealed to the exploitation of the International space station, saying that the work on the ISS will continue until at least 2020.

"The station is flying by 2020 and possibly longer. Now we and the Americans are working on extending the resources of the first modules: their terms expire in 2013-2015. But special problems, I think, will not be", - said the Raykunov.

He recalled that the eighth for Russia's manned space station.

"We perfectly comfortable on the heights of 350-400 km I am sure that after the ISS new tasks will appear: will be created space infrastructure for lunar exploration missions to distant planets. Will be built the little station with departing specialized modules. Including "service stations", at which will be located modules spare parts and all necessary diagnostic equipment. You will need orbital transfer tugs, robotic systems and so on", - said the Raykunov.

He did not agree with the opinion of those who say that Russia is hopelessly behind the Americans in the development of a new manned spacecraft.

"Yes, lagged behind, but not hopeless. Manned spacecraft itself is not the problem. We insist that should be developed advanced manned transportation system (ppts), including heavy media, and various manned complexes. Not only for flights to the ISS, but also for flights to the moon and Mars," said the Raykunov.

According to him, neither the Americans nor the Europeans ppts yet. Although the Americans have advanced far.

"I was recently at the centre. Johnson in Houston and saw layouts of such objects - Orion and Altair. Before the flight tests yet. So if we properly organize work on the entire system, not just one ship, there is a chance if not to catch up with the Americans, but much closer and go already in the leg. This work is entrusted RSC Energia, under the technical project of the term they - December this year", - he said.

According to Vzglyad, in September the Russian Federal space Agency placed the state order, which implies that the Center Khrunichev can create booster heavy class for flights to the moon. The appropriate government contract was estimated at 10 million rubles.

Meanwhile, in August, a source in the rocket and space industry said that Russian specialists began to develop spacecraft for missions to the moon, but plans to implement runs to the satellite may not be implemented, because the country does not have and is not visible prospects for the development of a relevant launch vehicle.