Russia Successfully Launches Luna 25 Lunar Lander
CNN – In a landmark achievement, Russia has successfully launched Luna 25, its first lunar lander in 47 years. The uncrewed spacecraft lifted off from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Amur Oblast, Russia, on Friday morning. Luna 25, also known as the Luna-Glob-Lander, is expected to enter an orbit around Earth before transferring to a lunar orbit and ultimately descending to the surface of the moon.
The mission aims to study the composition of the moon’s polar soil and the plasma and dust contained in the lunar exosphere. Equipped with landing rockets, propellant tanks, solar panels, computers, and a robotic arm with a sample collection scoop, Luna 25 will spend one year gathering data and conducting experiments.
The launch was not without precautionary measures. Residents of a Russian village were temporarily evacuated due to the possibility of Luna 25’s rocket stages falling nearby. However, the risk was said to be minimal, with a “one in a million chance,” according to Reuters.
Interestingly, Luna 25 is not the only mission heading to the lunar south pole. India’s Chandrayaan-3, which launched in mid-July, is also scheduled to land at the same location on August 23. Despite the race to reach the moon, the two missions are not expected to interfere with each other as their landing zones differ.
This resurgence in lunar exploration is driven by the potential resources found at the moon’s south pole. Deep, permanently shadowed craters in the region may contain ice that could be used for drinking water, oxygen, and fuel. Agencies like NASA are keen on sustainable exploration of the moon as they prepare for future missions to Mars.
Speaking about the upcoming Luna 25 launch, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed his well wishes and highlighted the cooperative relationship between NASA and Russia that dates back to 1975.
With Luna 25’s successful launch, Russia once again asserts its presence in space exploration and adds to the growing list of missions aiming to unlock the secrets of the moon.