The Luna-25 lander from Moscow successfully launched into lunar orbit on Wednesday, signifying Russia’s first mission of this kind in nearly 50 years.
Luna-25 enters Moon orbit: With this lunar launch, Moscow’s first since 1976, Russia is attempting to revive and expand upon the innovative space programme of the Soviet Union.
A representative from Roscosmos informed that at 12:03 PM Moscow time (09:03 GMT), they had placed an automatic station into lunar orbit, marking the first instance of such an accomplishment in Russia’s contemporary history.
Prior to a planned landing on Monday north of the Boguslawsky crater on the lunar south pole, the probe will orbit 100 kilometres (62 miles) above the Moon’s surface.
The representative stated that “all the ‘Luna-25’ systems are operating normally, and communication with it is stable.”
Cameras mounted on the lander have already captured images of the Earth and Moon in the distance.
A Soyuz rocket launched on Friday from the Vostochny cosmodrome in Russia’s Far East sent the lander, weighing about 800 kilogrammes (1,764 pounds), into space.
Experts anticipate that the lander will spend a year on the Moon, with its responsibilities encompassing the collection of samples and the assessment of soil.
Additionally, As Moscow continues its onslaught in Ukraine, the long-standing space collaboration between Russia and the West appears to be in jeopardy.
Despite the European Space Agency saying it will not work with Moscow on upcoming missions due to its activities in Ukraine, Russia announced it would proceed with its own lunar plans.