Russia is one of the few countries that have established its presence on the Moon. With its Luna-25 unmanned space mission, Roscosmos hoped to gain prestige once more. However, their goal of reaching the Moon's ice-rich south pole has failed this time.
In this handout image provided by NASA, the Soyuz MS-18 rocket is launched with Expedition 65 NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei, Roscosmos cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Oleg Novitskiy at the Baikonur Cosmodrome on April 9, 2021 in Baikonur, Kazakhstan.
Luna-25 Crashes on the Moon
Russia's Luna-25 spacecraft's Moon landing attempt has failed, as confirmed by Roscosmos, the state space agency. The agency stated that the lander was "destroyed upon impact with the lunar surface." This would have marked Russia's first Moon landing since 1976.
Luna-25 had recently entered lunar orbit and was slated to land on August 21st. However, Roscosmos was investigating a technical issue that arose during the craft's transition to a pre-landing orbit over the weekend. Regrettably, Luna-25 has now been declared lost.
Russia aimed to outpace India's Chandrayaan-3 in achieving a Moon landing. Chandrayaan-3 also entered lunar orbit recently, with India's ISRO announcing its Moon landing attempt on August 23rd, targeting the Moon's south pole, the same area as Luna-25's intended landing site. A successful landing by Chandrayaan-3 would mark the first such achievement at the Moon's south pole.
Luna-25's objective following its landing was to explore the Moon's southern polar region and examine its ice deposits. The data gathered from this investigation aimed to provide insights into the Moon's origin.
A scientist explained that by studying the ice researchers could formulate theories regarding the presence of water on the Moon's surface and its potential connection to Earth's water. This analysis could help unravel whether the Moon formed autonomously or was the result of a celestial impact that separated it from Earth.
Through the examination of the ice on the Moon's south pole, scientists intended to gain a deeper understanding of lunar formation processes and the intricate relationship between the Moon and Earth. The research would offer crucial clues into the history of both celestial bodies and contribute to the ongoing exploration of the Moon's mysteries.
Other Failed Moon Landing Attempts by Other Countries
Initiated in 2015, Luna-25's voyage to the Moon encountered a significant setback with this unsuccessful landing, which had been intended as a precursor to a manned lunar expedition in 2029.
This development marks a disheartening stumble for Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, which has faced financial constraints as resources have been diverted toward military priorities.
Achieving a successful Moon landing is a formidable challenge, as history has shown through numerous instances of failure and disillusionment.
Notably, earlier this year, the Japanese startup ispace lost communication with its Hakuto-R Mission 1 lander after a three-month journey. Similarly, the 2019 Israeli lunar mission, involving the Beresheet spacecraft, ended in disaster due to an engine malfunction during its final descent.
In the same year, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) faced a setback when it lost contact with the Chandrayaan-2 Vikram lander, resulting in a crash landing.
Amid these challenges, the United States is actively preparing for a crewed Moon landing scheduled for 2025. As space exploration endeavors continue, the complexities and risks associated with lunar landings underscore the pioneering nature of such missions.
RELATED ARTICLE: Russia Luna-25 Status Remains Unclear As Roscosmos Issues 'Emergency Situation' Sparking Rumors of Spacecraft Being Lost
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