ISRO congratulates Russian space agency ‘Roscosmos’ for the launch of Lunar mission ‘Luna-25’

Bengaluru: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on Friday congratulated Russian space agency ‘Roscosmos’ for the successful launch of its lunar mission ‘Luna-25’, the country’s first lunar mission in 47 years. The Russian mission coincides with the deadline for India’s Chandrayaan-3 to reach the Moon as the landers from both countries are expected to land on the lunar surface on August 23.

Both India and Russia aim to become the first country to land on the South Pole of the Moon. “Congratulations to Roscosmos on the successful launch of Luna-25,” ISRO said in a message on social networking site X (formerly Twitter). It’s wonderful to have another rendezvous point in our intergalactic journeys. Best wishes to (India’s) Chandrayaan-3 and (Russia’s) Luna-25 missions in achieving their goals.

The Russian spacecraft, which was launched on Friday morning (Indian time), will take about 5.5 days to travel around the Moon. Luna-25 is expected to enter an orbit around Earth before being transferred to lunar orbit and finally landing on the lunar surface. Only three countries have been able to successfully land on the Moon: the former Soviet Union, the United States, and China.