BANGALORE: The Russian space agency, Roscosmos, recently launched the Luna-25 spacecraft on Friday. In response to concerns about potential interference with India's Chandrayaan-3 mission, which launched on July 14, 2023, Roscosmos assured that both missions were targeting distinct landing zones on the moon. They emphasized that there's an ample amount of space on the lunar surface to accommodate all endeavors.

The Luna-25 was successfully launched from the Vostochny spaceport in Russia's Far East region on August 11, 2023. Its lunar lander is projected to reach the moon by August 23, coinciding with Chandrayaan-3's anticipated lunar landing date.

Ilya Morozov, a spokesperson from the Center of Internal and External Communications at State Corporation Roscosmos, stated, "Luna-25 and Chandrayaan-3 have been designated different landing sites. The risk of interference or collision is nonexistent. Sufficient space exists on the Moon for all activities. Luna-25 will remain stationary and won't traverse the lunar surface."

As of July 2023, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) reported six active lunar orbiters. China's Yutu-2 rover, released by the Chang'e 4 mission, is the sole operational rover, stationed on the far side of the moon. Reports from various sources suggest that Russia's Luna-25, equipped with a lander and rover, is anticipated to enter a lunar orbit at an altitude of 100 km around August 16, 2023. The mission is expected to touch down at the moon's south pole region between August 21 and 23, 2023.

Roscosmos clarified that there hasn't been direct collaboration with ISRO on the Luna-25 venture. Nonetheless, they expressed openness to India's involvement in the International Scientific Lunar Station (ILRS) project and the potential inclusion of Russian scientific payloads on future Indian lunar missions.

Morozov conveyed, "While there's no ongoing collaboration with ISRO regarding Luna-25, we are receptive to Indian participation in the International Scientific Lunar Station initiative. Furthermore, we're willing to explore the prospect of integrating Russian scientific payloads on forthcoming Indian lunar exploration missions."

The ILRS initiative, a planned lunar facility, is a joint endeavor between Roscosmos and the Chinese space agency.

Morozov outlined Luna-25's lunar landing process, which will occur in multiple phases. "The trajectory to the Moon will take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. The journey from Earth to the Moon spans five days. Lunar orbit will be maintained for five to seven days, contingent on the chosen landing site. Three landing areas have been identified: a primary one to the north of the Boguslavsky crater, and two backup sites to the south of the Manzinus crater and the Pentland-A crater," Morozov explained.

ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 is slated to have its lander and rover touch down in the lunar south pole region at 5:47 p.m. on August 23.

ISRO Extends Congratulations to Russia's Luna-25 Mission

ISRO Extends Congratulations to Russia's Luna-25 Mission