Russia's space agency preps for its first manned moon landing

NASA, the US government and American space corporations aren't the only ones with their eyes on the moon. Russia's Space Agency (Roscosmos) has begun planning for its first manned lunar landing, starting with a recruitment drive for potential cosmonauts. The agency is looking for six to eight trainees with a background in engineering or aviation, or those who already have experience working in the space industry. All interested candidates will go through several stages of psychological, physical and medical tests during the selection process. The chosen eight will have to undergo some intense training until four remain. Those who get the job will pilot Russia's next-gen reusable manned spacecraft Federatsiya.

Since flying to space is pretty demanding not just mentally, but also physically, Roscosmos is looking for people with a high standard of fitness. Applicants must be 35-years-old and below, with a minimum height of 4'11" to a maximum of 6'2" and who don't weigh over 199 pounds. Sergei Krikalyov, the agency's executive director of manned programs said "There will be no discrimination based on skin colour or gender."Russia's first manned moon landing isn't scheduled until 2031, but the agency is launching a manned test flight in 2023 from its new spaceport.