Express View on Luna-25: After the crash-landing

Source– The post is based on the article “Express View on Luna-25: After the crash-landing” published in “The Indian Express” on 22nd August 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Awareness in the field of space

Relevance: Space exploration

News– Recently, Russian spacecraft Luna-25 was crash-landed on the moon.

Over the past four years, attempts to land spacecraft on the moon have been made by four distinct nations — Israel, India, Japan, and Russia. Each of these attempts met with failure during the final stages of landing or just prior to it.

How have lunar missions transformed in this century?

“Luna-25” mission should not be misconstrued as a continuation of the Luna series of lunar probes that were launched by the Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s.

The contemporary wave of lunar missions differs significantly from those undertaken half a century ago.

Modern technology and materials are utilized, along with new types of propellants. Even the objectives and incentives driving these missions have evolved substantially.

Lunar exploration at the start of this century focussed initially on Orbiter missions.

How will this incident impact future space missions and Chandrayaan-3?

Setbacks are not unfamiliar to space agencies. Every nation engaged in space exploration has faced failures and challenges. These setbacks have served as opportunities for learning and growth.

The unsuccessful Luna-25 mission has in fact paved the way for Chandrayaan-3 to potentially become the first spacecraft to successfully land in the polar region of the moon.

ISRO is likely experiencing its own sense of apprehension for the landing attempt of Chandrayaan-3.

It has undergone substantial safety enhancements to prevent a repeat of the previous mishap. However, there remains a lack of assurance or complacency until the test is successfully passed.