Russia launches first moon probe in 47 years
The Russian space program has launched a probe to the moon for the first time since 1976. Luna-25 blasted off from the Vostochny spaceport in the Amur Region and is aiming to touch down in the southern polar region by August 21.
All previous probes have landed in the equatorial region. If it lands successfully, Luna-25 would arrive two days before India’s Chandrayaan-3 for a historic first lunarfall in the rugged polar terrain.
Luna-25 is the first moon probe made in modern Russia, entirely from domestic components. The USSR launched 24 official ‘Luna’ missions between September 1958 and August 1976.
The probe’s objective is to carry out scientific research in the southern polar region of the moon. Luna-25 is equipped with instruments for analyzing the lunar soil, plasma and dust components for the presence of rare minerals. The designated lunarfall site is near the Boguslavsky Crater and the mission is scheduled to run for one year.
https://www.rt.com/russia/581128-luna-moon-probe-launch/