MOSCOW: Russia’s space agency Roscosmos announced that the Luna-25 lander, launched by Moscow, has successfully entered the Moon’s orbit, marking the country’s first lunar mission in nearly 50 years.
This initiative aims to relaunch Russia’s space exploration legacy and build upon the achievements of the Soviet Union’s historic space programme.
In a significant milestone, the automated station achieved lunar orbit at 12:03 pm Moscow time (0903 GMT), a Roscosmos spokesperson confirmed to AFP. Positioned approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) above the moon’s surface, the probe is scheduled to execute a planned landing next Monday, north of the Boguslawsky crater situated on the southern pole of the Moon.
Luna-25 Functioning Properly
Roscosmos assured that all systems aboard the ‘Luna-25’ are functioning properly, with stable communication established. The lander is equipped with cameras that have already captured distant images of both the Earth and Moon from space.
Launched using a Soyuz rocket from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s Far East last Friday, the lander weighs approximately 800 kilograms (1,764 pounds). Its mission duration is projected to be one year, during which it will gather soil samples and conduct soil analyses.
This achievement coincides with an uncertain future for Russia’s space collaboration with Western nations, given Russia’s ongoing involvement in Ukraine. Despite the European Space Agency’s decision not to cooperate with Russia on future missions due to its actions in Ukraine, Russia remains committed to its lunar ambitions.
