The first mission to the Moon in the history of modern Russia is postponed to 2023

“Yes, unfortunately,” Borisov told the TASS news agency when asked if the launch of the Luna-25 spacecraft had been postponed until next year.

This is not the first time the mission has been postponed. In May 2022, Dmitry Rogozin, who at the time headed the Roscosmos corporation, announced that the Moon mission would be sent before the end of September. Prior to this, the release was scheduled for August 22.

In July, a rocket and space industry source reported that it was recognized that the device needed for a soft landing of the Luna-25 automatic station did not meet the accuracy requirements of the technical specifications, so it is likely that the launch is postponed until at least 2023.

The robotic space complex “Luna-25” should become the first device in modern Russian history on a natural satellite of the Earth. The mission involves the study of the Moon from orbit and the surface, as well as the collection and delivery of lunar soil to Earth.

In addition, this project involves the launch of an automatic probe, the orbital part of which will allow for remote investigations and the selection of suitable sites for the subsequent descent of the vehicles.

NASA is also preparing the first space mission to the Moon in 53 years. For now, the space agency is also postponing the launch. Last time it had to be postponed due to a fuel leak during refuelling. At the same time, Artemis 1 does not intend to change the schedule of the program for landing astronauts on the moon, even in the context of launch postponements.