Russia Shoots For the Moon

Russia has announced a plan to put a man (or woman) on the moon by 2025, reports ABC. The cash-strapped Russian space agency also plans a permanent moon base and a Mars mission. "The Russians have some big ideas, but their space program is coming up slowly from being in a position (of) bankruptcy," says one former astronaut.

Some see the plan as a new way for President Putin to project his country's military might. Meanwhile, China and Japan are working on developing their own space programs. Former moon-man Buzz Aldrin has recently said that it is important for America to continue its program to explore space, despite some recent embarrassments at NASA. (More moon stories.)