Chandrayaan-3 followed by Russian lunar mission to moon after weeks
Moscow, August 11: Amidst a global resurgence in lunar exploration efforts, Russia has embarked on its first Moon probe in nearly half a century, coming on the heels of India's Chandrayaan-3 lunar lander launch last month. This recent Russian lunar mission seeks to rejuvenate its space sector, which has grappled with challenges for years and experienced isolation due to the Ukraine conflict. The launch of the Luna-25 probe represents Moscow's return to lunar exploration, marking its first mission since 1976 when the Soviet Union was at the forefront of space achievements.
The Luna-25 probe was launched at 02:10 am Moscow time (2310 GMT Thursday) from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, as depicted in live images transmitted by the Russian space agency Roscosmos. The spacecraft is projected to reach lunar orbit within five days. Upon achieving lunar orbit, a period of three to seven days will be allocated for selecting an optimal landing site in the southern polar region of the Moon.
A significant departure from past lunar missions, the Luna-25 probe's landing is targeted for the lunar south pole, contrasting with previous landings in the equatorial zone. "For the first time in history, the lunar landing will take place on the lunar south pole. Until now, everyone has been landing in the equatorial zone," emphasized Alexander Blokhin, a senior Roscosmos official, in a recent interview. The scheduled landing on the Moon is expected to occur around August 21, according to an AFP source within Roscosmos.
The year-long mission of the Luna-25 probe entails collecting and analyzing lunar soil samples, as well as conducting sustained scientific research. This endeavor forms the cornerstone of Russia's new lunar program, initiated at a juncture when Roscosmos confronts the loss of Western partnerships due to the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
Russian space expert Vitali Iegorov highlighted the novelty of this mission as the first post-Soviet attempt by Russia to place a device on a celestial body. "The biggest question will be: can it land?" he pondered, underlining the mission's significance. President Vladimir Putin, despite sanctions and geopolitical tensions, remains committed to advancing Russia's space program, evoking the historical legacy of sending the first human into space during the height of Cold War rivalries.
Putin articulated this commitment during an address at the Vostochny Cosmodrome last year, asserting, "We are guided by the ambition of our ancestors to move forward, despite difficulties and external attempts to prevent us from doing so."
Amidst funding constraints, corruption controversies, and intensifying competition from the United States, China, and private ventures like Elon Musk's SpaceX, this mission holds paramount importance for Russia's space sector. As nations and private entities vie to explore and utilize lunar resources, Russia's resurgence in lunar exploration aims to reclaim its position among the spacefaring elite.
Also Read: 17 dead as boat carrying Rohingya refugees capsizes on its way from Myanmar to Malaysia
- With inputs from agencies
