If Russia's new space transport system works, it could lead to the industrialisation of the moon, a space expert said.
The Russian space company RKK Energia is working on a new system called Kliper/Parom.
Nikolai Sevastianov, head of the company, says he is looking forward - and up.
'We are sometimes criticised for making such suggestions too early', Mr Sevastianov said in a newspaper interview released today.
'But it is time to do this given the limits to natural reserves on Earth and the pace of civilisation's progress. Nor can we dismiss the idea of outsourcing harmful industries into space', he added.
Earlier this week, US space tourist Charles Simonyi was delivered to the International Space Station on a Russian Soyuz rocket.
An executive from Space Adventures travel agency, the company that set up the trip, said a trip round the moon was within reach and the next step would be landing adventurers on the moon itself.
Space tourists have paid up to €19m for training and trips to the space station.
A flight round the moon would cost about €75m, according to Space Adventures Vice President Chris Faranetta.
'Technically, the (moon) programme is very achievable. We are not building things from scratch,' Mr Faranetta said.
