NASA showed a photo of the likely crash site of “Luna-25” – Kommersant

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has photographed a new crater that has appeared on the surface of the Moon. It is likely the crash site of Russia’s Luna 25 mission, NASA said.

The agency said the station “collided with an anomaly” during its descent, causing it to crash. The resulting crater reaches about 10 m in diameter. “Because this new crater is close to the expected point of impact with Luna 25, the LRO team concluded that it was most likely formed as a result of this mission, and not a natural impact,” the statement reads. press release.

“Luna-25” launched On August 11, it was the first launch of a Russian lunar station for the first time in nearly 50 years. August 20 Roscosmos informedthat communication with Luna 25 has been lost. According to preliminary data, it went into an off-design orbit and collided with the surface of the moon.

Head of Roscosmos Yury Borisov urged “don’t make a tragedy out of this” and said the mission could be repeated in 2026. In the Kremlin considerthat the fall of the station is an occasion to analyze the errors, but do not despair.

Laura Keffer