Posted: Sun, Apr 14, 2013, 11:04 AM ET (1504 GMT)
Russian president Vladimir Putin said Friday that he would seek more than $50 billion through 2020 to support the nation's space exploration efforts. Putin, visiting the Vostochny launch complex under construction in Russia's far east region, said the government planned to spend 1.6 trillion rubles (US$51.4 billion) on the nation's space programs through 2020. That funding would be used to support ongoing programs as well as new satellite and deep space exploration initiatives. Other Russian officials said Friday those plans also included human missions to the Moon and Mars by 2030, pending development of a new crewed spacecraft and heavy-lift launch vehicle.

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