After several setbacks, Russia announced on Monday that it will attempt to send a lunar lander into space this week in an effort to make its first trip back to the Moon in almost fifty years.
Russia launch lunar mission: Scheduled for early Friday, the launch coincides with the second year of Russia’s offensive in Ukraine, intensifying tensions with the West.
Moscow is eager to continue and expand on an innovative lunar programme from the Soviet period with the Luna-25 lander, the country’s first since 1976.
The Russian space agency reported that they had readied a Soyuz rocket for the launch of Luna-25 at the Vostochny cosmodrome in the Russian Far East.
In a statement, Roscosmos stated that the launch would take place on August 11.
The statement continued, “The Luna-25 will have to practise soft landings, collect and analyse soil samples, and carry out long-term scientific research.”
It is anticipated that the 800 kilogramme, four-legged lander will arrive close to the lunar south pole. In contrast, landings on the Moon often take place close to the equator.
The launch, which is the first mission of Moscow’s new lunar programme, takes place as Russia seeks to increase its space collaboration with China in the wake of strained relations with the West.
“ESA Suspends Collaboration with Moscow on Luna-25 and Subsequent Missions Amid Ongoing Tensions”
The European Space Agency (ESA) declared it will not work with Moscow on the upcoming Luna-25 launch as well as scheduled 26 and 27 missions after President Vladimir Putin committed troops to Ukraine last year.
Moscow declared at the time that it would still move forward with its lunar objectives despite the withdrawal and swap out ESA equipment for Russian-made research gear.
Putin said in a speech last year at the Vostochny cosmodrome that the Soviet Union launched the first man into space in 1961 despite “total” sanctions. He vowed that despite current Western restrictions, Moscow would advance its lunar programme.
During that period, Putin stated, “Our motivation stems from the determination of our forefathers to progress, regardless of challenges or external attempts to halt our advancement.”