Russian lunar spacecraft crashes into the moon

The Luna-25 moon lander is launched from the Vostochny Cosmodrome.
(Image credit: Roscosmos State Space Corporation/AP Photo)

Russia's first lunar mission in nearly half a century ended in failure on Sunday as its Luna-25 spacecraft crashed into the moon, officials said.

Russia launched the uncrewed lunar vehicle last Wednesday in an effort to land the first spacecraft on the moon's south pole. Luna-25 was slated to land as early as Monday, but encountered an "emergency situation" that shifted it into an incorrect flight pattern, according to the Russian space agency Roscosmos.

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The crash is a blow to the Russian space program. The south pole of the moon is thought to be rich in water ice, which scientists believe could potentially be used to create deep-space rocket fuel. Russian President Vladimir Putin has long held his country's space program in high regard, and Roscosmos officials said the mission's purpose was to show that Russia "is a state capable of delivering a payload to the moon" and "ensure Russia's guaranteed access to the moon's surface," The Associated Press reported.

While Russia's mission failed, an Indian mission is currently orbiting the moon and is expected to make its own landing attempt at the south pole this week. The United States, China and other space-faring nations are also expected to probe the area in the coming years.

"It's unfortunate," Sudheer Kumar, a spokesman for India's IRSO space agency, told The New York Times in regard to the Luna-25 crash. "Every space mission is very risky and highly technical."

Justin Klawans, The Week US

Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.