Luna-Glob
The Luna-Glob programme traces its roots to planning documents from 1997. A financial crisis struck Russia in 1998 and forced the cancellation of the initial mission budget. Officials postponed the first launch repeatedly over the next two decades. The schedule shifted from 2012 to 2014, then to 2015, 2016, 2018, and finally 2019. Roscosmos approved a specific model for the Luna 25 lander only in 2017 after years of uncertainty. These delays stemmed directly from economic instability rather than technical failures during that early period.
Luna 25 lifted off successfully on the 11th of August 2023 aboard a Soyuz rocket. The spacecraft reached lunar orbit within days of departure. On the 19th of August at 11:57 UTC, an orbital lowering maneuver went wrong. The lander crashed onto the Moon's surface shortly after the error occurred. This failure ended the mission before any scientific instruments could begin their work. The crash site remains unknown but is located near the south pole region targeted by the probe.
Mission planners have set dates for subsequent probes extending into the 2030s. Luna 26 orbiter launches are scheduled for 2027 using a Soyuz 2.1b vehicle. Luna 27 follows as a south pole lander between 2029 and 2030. Luna 28 aims to return samples from the lunar surface around 2030. Three additional missions labeled Luna 29 through Luna 31 target the 2030s timeframe. Each new spacecraft builds upon lessons learned from the previous attempt to ensure better outcomes.
The modern programme continues a history spanning from 1959 to 1976 under Soviet rule. That earlier effort sent at least 24 orbiters and landers toward the Moon. Fifteen of those attempts succeeded in reaching their targets or returning data. The final Soviet mission, Luna 24, launched on the 9th of August 1976 and brought back soil samples. Roscosmos now seeks to revive that legacy with new technology and updated goals for exploration.
Officials planned a robotic proving ground called Lunny Poligon starting in 2008. This facility would eventually evolve into a permanent human-occupied base. Initial designs included solar power stations and telecommunication systems. A long-range research rover was part of the original concept for the range. The first phase limits occupancy to four people before expanding capacity up to twelve individuals. Construction of this habitable base is scheduled to begin in the 2030s after robotic missions complete their tasks.
A joint India-Russia project named International Lunar Network collapsed due to technical delays. Russia could not deliver its lander and rover components by the agreed deadline following the Fobos-Grunt failure in 2011. India chose to develop its own lunar mission independently instead. That decision led to Chandrayaan-3 achieving a successful moon landing. The cancellation forced both nations to pursue separate national strategies rather than shared objectives.
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Common questions
When did the Luna-Glob programme originate and why was it delayed?
The Luna-Glob programme traces its roots to planning documents from 1997. A financial crisis struck Russia in 1998 and forced the cancellation of the initial mission budget, causing officials to postpone the first launch repeatedly over the next two decades.
What happened during the Luna 25 mission on the 11th of August 2023?
Luna 25 lifted off successfully on the 11th of August 2023 aboard a Soyuz rocket but crashed onto the Moon's surface shortly after an orbital lowering maneuver went wrong on the 19th of August at 11:57 UTC. This failure ended the mission before any scientific instruments could begin their work near the south pole region targeted by the probe.
What are the scheduled dates for future Luna missions including Luna 26 and Luna 27?
Mission planners have set dates for subsequent probes extending into the 2030s with Luna 26 orbiter launches scheduled for 2027 using a Soyuz 2.1b vehicle. Luna 27 follows as a south pole lander between 2029 and 2030 while Luna 28 aims to return samples from the lunar surface around 2030.
How does the modern Luna-Glob programme connect to Soviet era space exploration history?
The modern programme continues a history spanning from 1959 to 1976 under Soviet rule that sent at least 24 orbiters and landers toward the Moon. The final Soviet mission, Luna 24, launched on the 9th of August 1976 and brought back soil samples before Roscosmos sought to revive that legacy with new technology.
When is construction of the Lunny Poligon base scheduled to begin and what will it include?
Construction of this habitable base is scheduled to begin in the 2030s after robotic missions complete their tasks. Initial designs included solar power stations and telecommunication systems with a long-range research rover planned for the range.