Posted BY: RM | NwoReport
Russia’s Luna-25 spacecraft, launched earlier this month on a mission to explore the moon’s south pole, has encountered a “technical glitch” during its attempt to enter a pre-landing orbit, according to the country’s space agency, Roscosmos. The agency has reported an “abnormal situation” on board the spacecraft that prevented the maneuver from being executed with the intended parameters. While it remains uncertain whether this incident will impact Luna-25’s ability to make a successful landing, Roscosmos specialists are currently assessing the situation.
The spacecraft, scheduled to touch down on the moon’s south pole on Monday, is in a race with an Indian spacecraft to reach Earth’s satellite first. The lunar south pole is of great interest to scientists due to the potential presence of water in its permanently shadowed craters, which could be a valuable resource for future lunar exploration missions.
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Despite the glitch, Luna-25 has already produced significant results. Roscosmos has revealed that preliminary data gathered by the spacecraft’s equipment contains information about the chemical elements found in lunar soil. Additionally, the agency noted that a “micrometeorite impact” had been registered. The launch of Luna-25 from Russia’s Vostochny spaceport marked the country’s first lunar mission since 1976. With only the Soviet Union, the United States, and China having successfully landed on the moon, Russia aims to demonstrate its capabilities by reaching the moon’s surface. The country’s access to Western technology has been restricted due to sanctions related to the Ukraine conflict, impacting its space program.
Originally planned to carry a moon rover, Luna-25’s design was adjusted to enhance reliability by reducing the craft’s weight. While its scientific goal is to study lunar water, Roscosmos’ primary objective is to re-establish Russia’s lunar expertise and demonstrate its access to the moon. The Vostochny spaceport, a project supported by President Vladimir Putin, is central to Russia’s ambitions of becoming a prominent space power and shifting its launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The ongoing lunar mission represents a crucial step toward these goals.
