Russia's Luna-25 Probe Crash Lands On The Moon

Russia’s Luna-25 mission crash-landed on the moon, ending the first Russian lunar mission in nearly half a century.

What Happened: According to Politico, the Luna-25, which was launched on August 10, crashed into the moon nine days later due to a malfunction during pre-landing maneuvers. The crash was announced by the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, late Saturday.

Roscosmos reported that the last communication with the spacecraft occurred at 2:57 p.m. Moscow time on Saturday. Subsequent attempts to reestablish contact were unsuccessful.

A special commission has been formed to investigate the cause of the malfunction, Roscosmos stated.

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The Luna-25 mission aimed to explore the lunar south pole, believed to hold a large supply of water in ice form. This could support life on the moon by providing breathable oxygen, drinking water, and even rocket fuel, potentially facilitating further space exploration.

Other countries, including the U.S. and India, also have plans to explore the moon’s southern region.

Why It Matters: The Luna-25 mission was significant not just for Russia but for global space exploration. As reported by Benzinga earlier this month, the Luna-25 was Russia’s first lunar mission since 1976. It aimed to land on the lunar south pole and operate there for a year, marking Russia’s return to the Moon and reigniting the echoes of the Soviet-era space race.

The Luna-25 was launched from the Vostochny Cosmodrome on a Soyuz-2 Fregat rocket, and upon reaching the Moon, it was expected to conduct long-term scientific research. The mission’s failure thus represents a significant setback for Russia’s space aspirations.

According to another Benzinga report, the mission was not just about reaching the Moon; it was about advancing technology, exploring resources, and reasserting Russia’s power in space exploration. This failure might impact Russia’s standing in the competitive arena of space exploration, where countries like the U.S. and India also have ambitious plans.

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