  The Grad method is generalized based on the Bogolyubov idea of the functional
hypothesis for states at the end of relaxation processes in a system. The Grad
problem (i.e., description of the Maxwell relaxation) for a completely ionized
spatially uniform two-component electron-ion plasma is investigated using the
Landau kinetic equation. The component distribution functions and time
evolution equations for parameters describing the state of a system are
calculated, and corrections are obtained to the known results in a perturbation
theory in a small electron-to-ion mass ratio.
