Russia launches its first lunar probe in practically 50 years : NPR

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** Russia has launched its first mission to the floor of the moon in practically half a century. Its intention is to change into the primary nation to hold out a distant uncrewed touchdown on the lunar south pole. As NPR’s Charles Maynes stories from Moscow, the Russian moonshot comes with Soviet house nostalgia within the air and the battle in Ukraine behind the scenes.

CHARLES MAYNES, BYLINE: The Luna 25 mission blasted off early Friday from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia’s Far East.

VITALY YEGOROV: (Non-English language spoken).

MAYNES: Russian house analyst Vitaly Yegorov says the picture of a Russian Soyuz rocket racing into the daybreak sky was admittedly stunning – and the straightforward half.

YEGOROV: (Non-English language spoken).

MAYNES: However the true intrigue would be the touchdown, he tells NPR. The Russian probe is anticipated to achieve lunar orbit mid-next week earlier than making an attempt the first-ever distant gentle touchdown on the moon’s south pole on August 21. No straightforward job, says Yegorov.

YEGOROV: (By way of interpreter) It is a demanding and sophisticated operation. Many nations have tried unmanned landings and crashed at that stage. Russia will both be a part of them, or it is going to be a breakthrough for contemporary Russian house know-how.

MAYNES: The hope is Luna 25 will spend the subsequent yr on the lunar floor conducting a spread of experiments. Most intriguingly, a seek for indicators of frozen water throughout the lunar rocks and soil, says Roscosmos head Yury Borisov.

YURY BORISOV: (Non-English language spoken).

MAYNES: Water opens up the intense prospect of setting up lunar bases that would change into a begin pad for deep house exploration, Borisov advised media following the launch. The Lunar 25 mission was years within the making. It additionally comes amid Russia’s battle in Ukraine, loading the lunar rover with surprising geopolitical baggage. Within the months main as much as launch day, the Kremlin made no secret – the Russian house program is inheriting the nation’s go-it-alone ethos within the face of a hostile West.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN: (Non-English language spoken).

MAYNES: In an impromptu and really televised assembly with staff on the Vostochny Cosmodrome final yr, Russian President Vladimir Putin famous the Soviet Union had at all times existed below Western sanctions and but went on to launch the world’s first satellite tv for pc in addition to the primary man and later the primary girl in house.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

PUTIN: (Non-English language spoken).

MAYNES: We did all of it in full technological isolation, mentioned Putin. Do you actually suppose trendy Russia, with its technological capabilities, cannot do the identical? And he pointed to Luna 25 and future missions as symbols of the nation’s continued house prowess.

YEGOROV: (Non-English language spoken).

MAYNES: Yegorov, the house analyst, says that is all Kremlin propaganda, Putin deliberately fanning Russian nostalgia for Soviet space-age triumphs. In turning again the clock, says Yegorov, the Russian chief is attempting to fuse a cult of victory in house with ongoing efforts to convey Ukraine again below Russian management. An enormous banner in help of the battle effort was even hung on the launch pad.

YEGOROV: (By way of interpreter) All of it creates a singular picture. We’re flying to the moon and the celebrities, similar to we did within the Soviet Union. Now let’s remake the Soviet Union again on Earth.

MAYNES: However for that narrative to carry, Luna 25 nonetheless has to make that moon touchdown and do it quick. India has an unmanned mission already orbiting the moon. That spacecraft is anticipated to aim its touchdown on the moon’s south pole across the similar time as Russia’s. It is a signal that even because the Kremlin embraces its Chilly Struggle legacy of competitors with the West, new gamers have entered the house recreation. Charles Maynes, NPR Information, Moscow.

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