The Luna-25 spacecraft set off on a journey to the Moon’s south pole, opening a new era of exploration of our natural satellite. This is Russia’s first lunar mission in the last 47 years and could be the beginning of active activity not only by countries but also by private companies. The main goal of this mission is to search for water ice, which could become a valuable resource for future human missions.
Why was the south pole of the Moon chosen?
Scientists believe that the south pole of the Moon is an area with a high concentration of water ice. It gets colder as you move toward the pole, which increases the potential for water detection. This is why Russia chose this region for its mission.
Who else will go to the Moon?
Russia’s Luna-25 mission is only the first of many planned missions to the Moon’s south pole. India plans to send its Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft to the region just days after Russia. China also plans to send a rover to the Moon in 2026, while NASA’s Artemis program is focused on exploring the south pole. This shows that the Moon is becoming an object of interest for many countries and companies.
Why look for water on the Moon?
Water ice on the Moon could be a valuable resource for future human missions. It can be used to produce hydrogen and oxygen, which can be used to produce drinking water, breathing air or even rocket fuel. This opens up new perspectives for the exploration of the solar system, as the Moon could be a “springboard” for further destinations.
What are the chances of the mission’s success?
The head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos has characterized the Luna-25 mission as “high-risk” with a 70 percent probability of success. Despite this, NASA and other countries have expressed their support and wished Russia good luck. Competition in lunar exploration is getting fiercer every year, and each successful mission brings positive publicity to a country or company.
What other plans do you have for the future?
The Luna-25 mission is only Russia’s first step in exploring the Moon. There are many more missions in the pipeline that will help expand our knowledge of this mysterious Earth satellite. In addition, Russia intends to develop cooperation with other countries and private companies to achieve the common goal of putting a man back on the Moon.
Overall, the success of the Luna-25 mission will be an important achievement for Russia and could help expand our knowledge of the Moon and its resources.
