MOSCOW, Aug 6 The planned mission of the first Russian lunar station in almost 50 years, Luna-25, is a really difficult flight, the probability of its success is estimated 50%, said in an interview with astronomer Vladimir Surdin, adding that «the hardest trouble is the beginning.»
«You need to understand that this is a really difficult flight. For myself, I estimate the probability 50/50,» Surdin said.
He noted that Russia has retained the qualifications at the level of Soviet cosmonautics in the theoretical base, so celestial mechanics can still «accurately» calculate the flight path.
«In terms of the design of the landing station itself, I think anything can be expected — new engineers, new technologies, a new location — the equator region, which has been flown so far, is easier to reach than the poles,» the astronomer added.
He also noted that in Soviet times «no one bothered» when «four or five failures» could occur in a row before a successful flight, because the failures were not reported in the media. «Now it will not be possible to remain silent, and I would like to warn you — do not be surprised. The first flight in half a century is new engineers, new equipment. Everything is possible, but the beginning is hard,» Surdin said.
August 11 was chosen as the main date for the launch of Luna-25, the Soyuz-2.1b rocket with the Fregat upper stage and an automatic station should take off from the launch pad of the Vostochny cosmodrome at 2:10.57 Moscow time. Reserve time — at 2.35 Moscow time on August 12.
The previous domestic station «Luna-24» was sent in 1976. Her return vehicle delivered about 170 grams of lunar soil to Earth.
Luna-25 does not have a return vehicle. It should be the first station in history to land on the South Pole of the Moon (near the parallel of 70 degrees south latitude). The main tasks of the mission will be the development of soft landing technologies, research of the internal structure and exploration of resources, including water.
After launch and separation from the rocket, the upper stage will send an automatic station on a flight trajectory to the Moon. The flight will take approximately 4.5 days. Then the station will have to go into orbit around the moon, after which it will change it several times over the course of several days in order to land near the South Pole. It is planned that the scientific work of the station will last a year.
In 2027 and 2028, missions of the Luna-26 orbiter and the Luna-27 landing station are to take place. The second one will be equipped with a lunar soil drilling rig. -1850850429.html» data-title=»Yuri Borisov: Russia should produce 250 satellites annually by 2025″>