MOSCOW, August 29 (RIA Novosti) - The International...

"It is necessary because at present we can monitor less than 10% of Russian territory, but with a new station the coverage will be increased tenfold," said Vitaly Davydov, deputy head of the agency.

He said the new space station would be used to produce materials that are impossible to manufacture on Earth and to improve the methods of remote monitoring of the Earth.

Davydov also said Russia would test technologies for space travel to the Moon and Mars in 2015-2025.

"And after 2025 we are planning to start the preparation for interplanetary missions," he said, adding that international projects of such proportions should be implemented on the basis of equal participation and global partnership.