Russia Launches Spacecraft to Moon for First Time Since 1976
Russia has launched its first spacecraft to the moon since 1976, marking a significant milestone in lunar exploration. This launch comes as Moscow aims to make history by being the first country to achieve a soft landing on the moon’s icy south pole.
The uncrewed spacecraft, named Luna-25, took off in the country’s southeast and is expected to reach the moon’s vicinity in just over five days. It will then spend several days orbiting before attempting the soft landing on the lunar surface on August 21st. This puts Russia in a race against India, which launched a similar mission last month and aims to soft-land by August 23rd.
Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, expressed their hope of being the first to achieve this feat. The agency’s chief, Yuri Borisov, stated at the launch that the goal is political competition between superpowers, specifically China and the United States, as well as other countries vying for space dominance.
This mission places Russia in the elite group of countries involved in advanced lunar exploration, alongside the United States and China. Previous attempts by Japan and Israel have failed in recent years. However, Russia’s aerospace sector has faced challenges due to economic sanctions and restrictions on Western-made technology and research ties.
Vitaly Egorov, a Russian space analyst, emphasized the political competition aspect of the moon landing rather than its scientific significance. He stated that the primary goal is to claim the title of space superpower in the contested race between nations.
The Luna-25 lander has a 1.6-meter-long lunar robotic arm equipped with a scoop to collect rocks, soil, and dust for scientific studies. If successful, the lander is expected to operate on the lunar surface for a year. Roscosmos plans three further lunar launches from 2027 to 2030, leading up to the possibility of manned flights and the construction of a lunar base.
While Russia embarks on this lunar mission, the United States also has its own plans for a sustainable presence on the moon. NASA has awarded contracts to companies to develop technologies for extended human stays on the lunar surface. However, a recent poll revealed that only 12% of adults in the US believe returning astronauts to the moon should be NASA’s top priority. Many prioritize issues such as climate change and asteroid monitoring.
The search for frozen water on the moon’s south pole remains a significant focus for many nations, as water could sustain life and be used for various commercial purposes. The lunar mission not only advances scientific knowledge but also represents a symbol of global power and competition between nations in the race for space dominance.