Russian spacecraft crashes into the moon

Share to Google Classroom

Russia’s first moon mission in 47 years ended in failure as its Luna-25 spacecraft lost control and crashed into the moon.

Roskosmos, the Russian state space corporation, reported that contact was lost shortly after the craft encountered a problem while being directed into a pre-landing orbit on Saturday.

The spacecraft’s trajectory became unpredictable, leading to a collision with the moon’s surface. This failure highlights the decline of Russia’s space prowess since its achievements during the Cold War era, including launching the first satellite, Sputnik 1, in 1957, and sending Yuri Gagarin into space in 1961.

Luna-25 was intended to softly land on the moon’s south pole on August 21. Russia’s space program faces competition from other nations like India, China, and the United States in the race for lunar exploration.

1
New Zealand has stopped nearly $30 million in government aid...
1
A huge wildfire has spread through Tongariro National Park, leading...
1
In Simi Valley, California, a man from Idaho has broken...
1
Beachgoers in Santa Cruz, California, are being warned about an...
1
A year after the world’s biggest tractor sculpture was revealed...

World & National News

1
The Grammy Awards, one of music’s biggest events, has revealed...
1
A huge wildfire has spread through Tongariro National Park, leading...
1
Every year on 5 November, colourful fireworks light up the...
1
In a move to help hospitals care for more patients,...
1
Two Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) helicopters have made...