Roscosmos postponed the launch of Luna-25 until August

Roscosmos plans to launch the Luna-25 spacecraft in August 2023. About this informed press service of the state corporation.

“In order to achieve the required reliability of the mission, it is necessary to take additional measures that will ensure the stable operation of ground controls at the stages of carrying out corrections and landing on the surface,” the press service said in a statement.

According to Roskosmos, the device is undergoing the latest ground tests, as well as a simulation of a soft landing on the lunar surface. “This stage, taking into account the complexity of the tasks of ballistic and navigation support for the flight of a spacecraft, is critical for the success of the entire mission as a whole,” the press service added. The device will land in the vicinity of the South Pole.

“Luna-25” should be the first domestic lunar mission in the last 46 years. It provides for the study of the natural satellite of the Earth from orbit and surface, the collection and delivery of lunar soil to Earth. Within the framework of the project, it is planned to launch an automatic probe, the orbital part of which will make it possible to conduct remote research and select suitable sites for subsequent descent vehicles. The lander will explore the lunar surface near the south pole. The declared active life of the probe on the surface of the Moon is at least one Earth year.

The launch of an automatic interplanetary station has been repeatedly postponed. Last time reportedthat the mission could be launched in July 2023.