*ISLAMABAD – Scientists are planning to build up a colony on the moon, andas per Russian scientists they will make it happen within 20 years.*

Russian space agency Roscosmos recently revealed its plans to build up ahuman colony on the moon with 20 years, by 2040. Roscosmos head DmitryRogozin expressed that this step is ‘very important moment for Roscosmos.

Rogozin informed that the firm was struggling with financial burdens, butthere was a clear five-year plan that would lead to a new age of spacetechnology, reported *The Sun.*

*Russia to build luxurious hotel in space for touristslink*

Researcher Anatoly Petrukovich explained that a Mars trip with the existingspace travel technology is very difficult, thus travelling to the moon ismore logical goal. “The project we are experimenting with is for thelong-term habitation by humans. It is about a colony on the surface of themoon.”

The plan included a three-stage lunar project which involved the creationof the module orbiting the moon, then landing of workers involved in theconstruction of the base, and finally the establishment of a lunar colonythat among other things will maintain a telescope on the dark side of themoon.

As per the head designer at Russia’s space program, Yevgeny Mikrin, workingon this project could begin by 2025. However, final plans about the programwill be completed by next year.

Meanwhile, NASA is planning to go back to the moon too and has recentlypartnered with nine private firms to help it achieve its goal. NASA plansto award about $2.6 billion over the course of 10 years that the companiescan compete for. They further plan to go on to Mars, reported *Mashable.*