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.

  • Aux@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    The quality of Russian science is irrelevant when 99% of funding goes into building new palaces and buying yachts.

    • TheBlue22@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Don’t forget about brain drain.

      The majority of Russians with any braincells (or money) have already left the country.

      • Aux@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        Yeah, brain drain is real. Every Russian I know from IT sphere has left. Many left after 2014 , everyone else left in 2022. Every person with a brain doesn’t want to associate with the regime in any way and doesn’t want to suffer.