Russia’s Luna 25 spacecraft has crashed into the Moon after a problem with its propulsion system.
The spacecraft was supposed to be the first Russian mission to the Moon since 1976. It was launched on August 9, 2023, and was due to land on the Moon on August 22.
However, on Saturday, August 19, there was a problem with the spacecraft’s propulsion system during a burn to move it into a pre-landing orbit. The spacecraft lost control and crashed into the Moon.
The Russian space agency, Roscosmos, has formed an “interdepartmental commission” to investigate the mishap.
This is a major setback for the Russian space program, which has been struggling in recent years. The loss of Luna 25 will likely delay future Russian missions to the Moon.
Here are some additional details about the mission:
- Luna 25 was a robotic lander that was designed to land on the Moon’s south pole.
- The spacecraft was about 1.2 tons in weight and carried a variety of scientific instruments.
- The mission was intended to help scientists learn more about the Moon’s geology and its potential for resources.
The loss of Luna 25 is a disappointment for the Russian space program and for scientists who were hoping to learn more about the Moon. However, it is important to remember that space exploration is a risky business, and even the most well-planned missions can fail.
The Russian space program will need to learn from this setback and continue to work hard to ensure the success of future missions.