| At present, only two countries, Russia and USA, have the intellectual 
          resources, the experience in the implementation of large manned spaceflight 
          projects, and the industrial infrastructure required for independently 
          developing an interplanetary vehicle to put man on Mars.
 However, the experience of the international space station construction 
          has demonstrated the feasibility and advisability of developing such 
          large-scale space projects on the basis of the international cooperation.
 Such cooperation can take different forms.
 For example, US has a considerable experience in crew landing on and 
          taking off from the lunar surface, as well as in landing robotic spacecraft 
          on Mars. That is why it would be reasonable, if it were US who would 
          assume the prime role for developing the lander, one of the most critical 
          elements of the mission.
 Russia has accumulated a considerable experience in building and operating 
          space stations. The tasks performed by the Interplanetary Orbiter are 
          very similar to those of habitable modules of space stations. That is 
          why Russia could assume the prime role in the development of such spacecraft.
 If RSC Energia's concept for the Interplanetary Vehicle is accepted, 
          the prime role in the development of the solar-powered space tug could 
          belong to both US and Russia. But in any case, it will use Russian technologies 
          for creating transformable structures and for their deployment by the 
          crew.
 This is just one of the possible cooperation options, but there could 
          be others, where European countries, Japan and Canada could also take 
          part.
 In case a decision to proceed with this work is made, it is advisable 
          to establish an international committee to coordinate preparation of 
          materials required for decision making at the level of the governments 
          of the partner countries. This committee will set up working groups 
          to address mutual relationships of the partners with regard to cooperation, 
          distribution of work, and generation of the mission concept.
 
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