​Russia has launched a space probe from the Khabarovsk Territory, which should land near the south pole of the Moon and search for frozen water in this region. This is the first mission the Russians have sent to the moon since 1976, and the chances of success are estimated at 70%.

The Soyuz 2.1 rocket was launched on Friday at 2:10 a.m. from the Skhidnyi Cosmodrome in the Far East of Russia (5,500 km from Moscow), and after 80 minutes, the 1,800 kg probe separated from the rocket and continues its the way to the moon

No country managed to make a “soft landing” in the region of the South Pole of the Moon. India’s Chandrayaan-2 mission attempted in 2019 but failed. India is trying again with the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which is also due to put a small rover in the South Pole region on August 23.

The Russian mission is called Luna 25, the probe is scheduled to enter lunar orbit on August 16, and the landing is scheduled for August 21. Ironically, the mission was also delayed by the war started by Russia in Ukraine, as some components could no longer be sourced from Western countries (which had severed relations with Russia).

The Roscosmos agency says there are three possible selenization points near the moon’s south pole, and the probe will attempt to sample at a maximum depth of 15cm, hoping to find frozen water.

In 1976, the USSR sent a mission called “Luna-24” to the Earth’s natural satellite, while only the USA and the USSR were space powers.

The Russians say they want to be the first to land on the moon’s south pole, since most probes are aimed at the equatorial region.

Sources: AFP, Reuters