Russia's Luna-25 crashed on the Moon. Even ahead of its landing attempt. Russia's first moon mission in 47 years came to a standstill. Russia had been racing against India. As Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft is scheduled to land on the moon's south pole on August 23.

Why did Russia’s Luna-25 spacecraft crash into the Moon?

<p>Russia's first moon mission in nearly five decades took a disastrous turn when its Luna-25 spacecraft lost control and crashed into the moon due to a pre-landing orbit issue.</p>

<p>Russian state television ranked the Luna-25's loss as the eighth news item during its noon broadcast, allotting a mere 26 seconds to the story. This minimal coverage followed reports on fires in Tenerife and a more extensive four-minute segment discussing a professional holiday for Russian pilots and crews.</p>

<h2><strong>Mission gone awry </strong></h2>

<p>Roscosmos revealed that the Luna-25 spacecraft, intended for a soft landing on the moon, veered into an erratic orbit before its ill-fated crash. A dedicated inter-departmental commission has been established to investigate the causes behind this significant loss, which had raised expectations of Russia's resurgence in lunar exploration.</p>

<p>This failure serves as a stark reminder of Russia's diminished space prowess since its illustrious days of Cold War competition. During that era, Moscow achieved monumental milestones, including launching the first Earth-orbiting satellite, Sputnik 1, in 1957, and sending Yuri Gagarin into space in 1961 as the first human in orbit.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/explained-indias-chandrayaan-3-loses-russian-co-traveller-luna-25-what-are-its-implications-627245">Explained: India's Chandrayaan-3 loses Russian co-traveller Luna-25. What are its implications?</a></p>

<p>Russia's space ambitions are now contending with formidable rivals such as India, China, and the United States, all pursuing ambitious lunar programs. As the Luna-25 mission faltered, India's Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft was set to make its own lunar landing. The Russian space community faces its own share of challenges, including a beleaguered economy, Western sanctions, and the ongoing Ukraine conflict.</p>

<h2><strong>Analysing the setback </strong></h2>

<p>The Luna-25 mission faced technical vulnerabilities in its flight control system that required numerous adjustments, according to Anatoly Zak, a space program expert. Additionally, the mission's choice of an ambitious moon landing as opposed to a simpler orbital mission diverged from established practices. While Russia's lunar aspirations include future joint ventures with China, the crash casts a shadow on the program's future.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Chandrayaan-3: Second and final de-boosting of Vikram Lander successful</strong></p>

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<h2><strong>Internal issues in the space programme&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>Russia's space scientists have voiced concerns about managerial inefficiencies, corrupt practices, and a decline in the rigour of the country's post-Soviet scientific education system. These factors, coupled with unrealistically ambitious space projects, have been undermining the space programme's overall strength.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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Russia's first moon mission in nearly five decades took a disastrous turn when its Luna-25 spacecraft lost control and crashed into the moon due to a pre-landing orbit issue.

Russia's first moon mission in nearly five decades took a disastrous turn when its Luna-25 spacecraft lost control and crashed into the moon due to a pre-landing orbit issue. Russian state television ranked the Luna-25's loss as the eighth news item during its noon broadcast, allotting a mere 26 seconds to the story. This minimal coverage followed reports on fires in Tenerife and a more extensive four-minute segment discussing a professional holiday for Russian pilots and crews. Mission gone awry Roscosmos revealed that the Luna-25 spacecraft, intended for a soft landing on the moon, veered into an erratic orbit before its ill-fated crash. A dedicated inter-departmental commission has been established to investigate the causes behind this significant loss, which had raised expectations of Russia's resurgence in lunar exploration. This failure serves as a stark reminder of Russia's diminished space prowess since its illustrious days of Cold War competition. During that era, Moscow achieved monumental milestones, including launching the first Earth-orbiting satellite, Sputnik 1, in 1957, and sending Yuri Gagarin into space in 1961 as the first human in orbit. Also read | Explained: India's Chandrayaan-3 loses Russian co-traveller Luna-25. What are its implications? Russia's space ambitions are now contending with formidable rivals such as India, China, and the United States, all pursuing ambitious lunar programs. As the Luna-25 mission faltered, India's Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft was set to make its own lunar landing. The Russian space community faces its own share of challenges, including a beleaguered economy, Western sanctions, and the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Analysing the setback The Luna-25 mission faced technical vulnerabilities in its flight control system that required numerous adjustments, according to Anatoly Zak, a space program expert. Additionally, the mission's choice of an ambitious moon landing as opposed to a simpler orbital mission diverged from established practices. While Russia's lunar aspirations include future joint ventures with China, the crash casts a shadow on the program's future. Also watch | Chandrayaan-3: Second and final de-boosting of Vikram Lander successful Internal issues in the space programme Russia's space scientists have voiced concerns about managerial inefficiencies, corrupt practices, and a decline in the rigour of the country's post-Soviet scientific education system. These factors, coupled with unrealistically ambitious space projects, have been undermining the space programme's overall strength. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Luna-25 crash receives mere 26-second coverage on Russian state television

A Race to the moon is going on. Russia and India are aiming for a lunar soft-landing. Spacecraft of both nations are inching towards the moon. But, who will win the race?

Chandrayaan-3 vs Luna-25: Will Russia's lunar lander reach the moon before India?

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