Russia’s Luna-25 spacecraft has crashed into the Moon after spinning into an uncontrolled orbit, officials say.

The unmanned craft was due to make a soft landing on the Moon’s south pole, but failed after encountering issues as it moved into its pre-landing orbit.

It was Russia’s first Moon mission in almost 50 years.

The spacecraft was scheduled to land on Monday to explore a part of the Moon which scientists think could hold frozen water and precious elements.

Roskosmos, Russia’s state space corporation, said it lost contact with the Luna-25 shortly after running into difficulties.

  • DrownedRats@lemmy.world
    1753·
    1 year ago

    Normally, I’d say that it’s a great shame that a piece of valuable scientific equipment was lost and that it’s a massive loss to humanity as a whole as the international scientific community is usually able to co-operate regardless of boarders.

    But this time, Russia said they won’t be sharing any data gathered from this probe with the international community and would be keeping it all to themselves so suddenly I don’t give a shit.

    • mindlight@lemm.ee
      47·
      1 year ago

      I agree but I’m also happy that Putin doesn’t get a win by presenting this as “Russia is great and all because of me”.

      • uis@lemmy.world
        41·
        1 year ago

        Reminds me state TV propoganda “no Putin - no Russia”.

        Technically he won, otherwise it was vicroty of science over Putin’s corruption.

    • Kokesh@lemmy.worldEnglish
      8·
      1 year ago

      I’m huge space nerd, but I personally wouldn’t say that loss of space mission is a loss for humanity.

      • bluemellophone@lemmy.worldEnglish
        11·
        1 year ago

        If the James Webb had failed to deploy, I would have been fucking pissed. That would have been a massive loss for humanity.

        A random moon probe, not so much. I’m almost happy Russia is denied the good space PR and nationalism bump.

    • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
      64·
      1 year ago

      I wonder why. Maybe they were going to sell it to China? Or maybe putting random sycophants in the position of running their space program leads to this type of political stunt.

    • Mr_Dr_Oink@lemmy.world
      109·
      1 year ago

      Maybe they actually found something amazing and this is a cover story so we dont try to force them to share it.

      Edit: wow why did this get downvoted? It was satire…