March 18, 2025 (EIRNS)—Speaking today to journalists on the sidelines of the 34th congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP), Kirill Dmitriev, Moscow’s special envoy for foreign investment and economic cooperation, and also the head of Russia’s Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), said that he discussed with Roscosmos Director General Dmitry Bakanov, the idea of working with Elon Musk in joint space flight projects.
“Our idea of working together with Musk is not just an idea about Mars, it is the presence of very powerful competencies in Roscosmos and Rosatom that could help, including in the flight to Mars, make it more efficient and safe,” Dmitriev said. He added that the discussion with Musk will occur “in the near future.”
“We believe that Musk is a unique leader who is focused on moving humanity forward together,” he added.
The reference to Rosatom is also significant as this is the entity that is developing the new plasma engine, an area in which Russia remains in the lead.
This becomes doubly important, as Russia and China are collaborating on a joint lunar program, including plans for a nuclear power plant on the Moon by 2035, to power a potential lunar base and facilitate long-term scientific research and exploration. Thus, were Musk to collaborate with Russia, he would, as well, become potentially involved in collaboration with China.
