Soyuz-2.1b rocket launched from Vostochny cosmodrome

Soyuz-2.1b rocket launched from Vostochny cosmodrome with the Luna-25 research station on board.

This is the first mission in the history of modern Russia to a natural satellite of the Earth (the previous Soviet Luna-24 spacecraft was launched in 1976).

The aim of the project is to send an automatic probe for research in the area of the south pole of the Moon. It is planned that the module will be planted near the Boguslavsky crater (reserve areas are located near the Mancini and Pentland-A craters).

The main goal of Luna-25 will be to develop soft landing technology. The mission may become the first vehicle to land at the South Pole of a natural satellite of the Earth. The device will study the internal structure and conduct exploration of natural resources, including water, as well as investigate the impact of cosmic rays and electromagnetic radiation on the surface of the Moon.

Several cameras are installed on the automatic station. They will take a timelapse (shooting at a frequency of less than 25 frames per second) of the landing and a panorama of the Earth's natural satellite in HDR format.

The automatic interplanetary station "Luna-25" was developed by specialists of the Scientific and Production Association named after S. A. Lavochkin. ICI RAS is responsible for the scientific program. The company has been working on the spacecraft since the mid-2000s as part of the Luna-Globe project.

Source: TASS