Russia's Luna-25 corrects trajectory before landing on moon
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On August 11,Roscosmos launched the country's first lunar mission in over half a century as an ambitious play in the race to establish a lunar base.
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A plane flies over the Russian flag atop the Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Friday July 24, 2015. (AP)
Russia's Luna-25 independent landing module has adjusted its circumlunar course and is prepared to land on the Moon, according to Roscosmos, the Russian state space organization.
Roscosmos released a statement detailing how "Today, at 09:20 Moscow time (06:20 GMT), the module's propulsion system conducted trajectory correction in 40 seconds. Its aim is to ensure the best possible conditions for the subsequent construction of the landing trajectory," confirming the correction proceeded as planned, and all of the module's systems are functioning, and that contact with the station is steady.
Despite sanctions, in the early hours of August 11 morning, Roscosmos launched the country's first lunar mission in over half a century as an ambitious play in the race to establish a lunar base.
It is also the first mission in Russia's independent space history.
The module entered a low orbit around 100 kilometers (62.13 miles) above the lunar surface on August 16.
The Luna-25 mission from Russia has been sent to investigate the lunar south pole, where experts believe there is a vast supply of water trapped in ice in the continuous shade of mountain peaks.
The last time a lunar mission was carried out was during the Soviet era, in 1976, with the launch of Luna-24 into orbit.
The mission is conducted within the framework of the Russian lunar program for the purpose of exploring the moon and its orbit, as well as establishing a fully automated lunar base.
August 21 is the expected date when Luna-25 will become the first station to make a soft landing on the lunar south pole with difficult terrain.
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Station Luna-25 sent the first recordings
— Sprinter (@Sprinter99800) August 14, 2023
The footage was released by the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. pic.twitter.com/sgak1zZfDV
The Chinese Foreign Ministry told Sputnik on Monday that Beijing congratulated Moscow on the successful launch of its Luna-25 lunar station.
"We have paid attention to the relevant reports, and we are congratulating Russia on the successful launch of the rocket," a spokesperson said, noting that China has always attached great importance to international space cooperation.
"We are ready to keep on promoting space cooperation and exchange with all countries of the world, including Russia, in compliance with the principles of peaceful use, equality, and mutual benefit, as well as encouraging research and technology to be more beneficial for people of all countries," the spokesperson said.
