Russia’s Luna-25 spacecraft crashed into the Moon on August 20. It was trying to be the first to land at the Moon’s south pole, where there might be water and valuable materials. The spacecraft had issues and lost contact on August 19. It hit the Moon’s surface due to a collision after going into an unpredictable orbit.
India’s Chandrayaan-3 also wants to land in the south pole area. It launched on July 14 and plans to descend on August 23. Russia’s lunar mission is its first since 1976. Only the Soviet Union, the United States, and China have successfully landed on the Moon.
Scientists are interested in the Moon’s south pole for possible frozen water. This could help future explorers make air and fuel. An earlier Indian attempt to land there failed in 2019.
Roscosmos wanted to prove Russia’s moon capability despite sanctions affecting its space program. The spacecraft was supposed to have a rover, but plans changed for better reliability.
Launched on August 10 from Vostochny Cosmodrome, the spaceport is important for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s goal of making Russia a space leader.
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