- Russia launches Luna-25 mission, first since 1976.
- Lunar probe’s landing site near the south pole determined in the final three-7 days.
- Putin pledges to continue post-Soviet Russia’s space program despite sanctions.
The Luna-25 probe, Russia’s first lunar mission, was launched on Friday, marking the first lunar mission Moscow has undertaken since 1976.
According to Roscosmos, the probe’s rocket blasted off from the Vostochny Cosmodrome at 0:10 in the morning Moscow time (23:10 in the morning GMT) on Thursday.
First lunar probe
In five days, the spacecraft will reach lunar orbit; the final three to seven days will be used to find the ideal landing site for the lunar probe near the south pole.
The lunar landing will take occur on the lunar south pole for the first time. According to Roscosmos, the probe is anticipated to touch down on the Moon around August 21.
The spacecraft will be in charge of collecting samples, assessing the soil, and carrying out long-term scientific research, according to the Russian space agency.
President Vladimir Putin has vowed to continue the space program despite sanctions. This is the first mission that post-Soviet Russia has launched intending to place a gadget on a celestial body.
The Chandrayaan-3 and Luna-25 missions are supported by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), which congratulated Roscosmos on the successful Luna-25 launch.
