Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter to stay updated on the latest discoveries and advancements in the universe. In a setback for Russia’s space ambitions, the Luna 25 spacecraft has failed its lunar mission and crashed into the moon’s surface. The robotic spacecraft lost communication with Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, on Saturday afternoon. Despite efforts to locate and establish contact with the spacecraft, no results were achieved. Roscosmos reported that a preliminary analysis suggests Luna-25 deviated from its intended orbit before the collision, but the cause of the crash remains unclear. An investigation will be conducted to determine the reasons behind the mission’s failure.
This news comes after the spacecraft encountered an emergency situation while attempting to enter a pre-landing orbit. The operation was hindered by the onboard issue, preventing the spacecraft from maneuvering as planned. Luna-25 was supposed to complete Russia’s first lunar landing in nearly 50 years. India’s Chandrayaan-3 lunar lander, which launched in July, and Luna-25 were both headed towards the moon’s south pole, an area of great interest due to its unexplored nature and potential for water deposits.
It is important to note that the perceived competition between India and Russia for the lunar south pole was not entirely accurate. Both projects had been in development for over a decade. Initially, Russia and the European Space Agency had plans for collaboration on Luna-25 and other missions, but these partnerships ceased after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Luna-25 carried eight scientific instruments, including spectrometers for studying the moon’s soil and detecting surface water. India’s Chandrayaan-3, on the other hand, has a lander, propulsion module, and rover, providing exploratory capabilities that Russia did not possess. Chandrayaan-3’s upcoming landing attempt could mark India’s first successful lunar touchdown.
Luna-25 was seen as a stepping stone for future Russian lunar exploration missions, with several planned spacecraft utilizing the same design. If successful, this mission would have been a significant achievement for Russia’s civil space program, proving its capabilities in high-profile missions.
Despite the challenges faced by Russia’s space program, the space community expressed sympathy for the difficulties encountered. Thomas Zurbuchen, former head of science at NASA, emphasized the complexities of landing on celestial objects and highlighted the need for continuous innovation and adaptation in space exploration. The failure of Luna-25 serves as a reminder that success cannot be taken for granted, even with past achievements in space exploration.
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