Leapfrog

with NASA in it's by now customary "Let's LOOK like we're a Space Agency going to the Stars - but not until we get LOADS more money" mode, the Sov- SORREE, I mean Russians, have a chance to leapfrog the US and get a Russian(and paying customers!) on the moon long before NASA misses the 50th Anniversary with yet another heavily delayed or cancelled R-ITW project(How DID THEY get to the moon I wonder? Oh yes, they had Von Braun!). The Russians could also tie in with ESA and intiate a moon base for exploration, mineral exploitation and Planetary missions from a Gravity Well 1/6th that of Earths. The new Angara 5L looks like it'll match ARES V in payload terms and by inviting in ESA and the Euros, they can cut the cost. If EAS is really smart, they'll expand Kourous to accommodate Angara as well as Soyuz(extra few tonnes of useful Payload from eq.orbit). The way they're being making money of late, they have a real chance to put Russia back in the lead: if they want to take it. I would, if I was Putin! WHAT an opportunity.