LUNA 25
1. Context
On August 11, Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, launched its Luna 25 spacecraft onboard a Soyuz 2 rocket. Luna 25 consisted of a lander and its mission was to soft-land near the moon’s south pole and study the properties of lunar soil and the atmosphere. But on August 20, Roscosmos stated that Luna 25 had suffered a glitch and crashed on the moon’s surface the previous day, ending the mission in a failure.
2. About Luna 25
- The Luna 25 mission, a project spanning over two decades, was initially referred to as Luna-Glob before being integrated into the historic Luna series.
- This series, with its last mission, launched in 1976, holds significant historical value in space exploration.
- The mission was spearheaded by Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, and its primary objective was explicitly stated: to secure Russia's unimpeded access to the moon's surface.
- This objective resonated with the increasing recognition of the moon as a crucial destination in the realm of spaceflight.
- A distinctive feature of the Luna 25 mission was its partnership role in the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), which Russia and China co-led.
- This collaboration stood in contrast to the U.S.-led Artemis Accords, underscoring Russia's commitment to playing a significant role in lunar exploration initiatives.
- Moreover, Luna 25 was not only a venture into space but also a statement of resilience. Amid the challenges of international sanctions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, some experts speculated that the mission was strategically launched to demonstrate the country's economic stability.
- This included showcasing the strength of Russia's spaceflight sector, implying that the weight of sanctions had not undermined its capabilities.
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Image Source: The Hindu
3. Luna 25 Vs Chandrayaan 3:
- Luna 25 and Chandrayaan 3 were not in a race.
- They launched around the same time and aimed for lunar soft landings.
- Mission parameters influenced by the launch vehicle, spacecraft mass, trajectory, and sunlight availability.
- Chandrayaan 3 in development since 2019, Luna 25 since early 2010s.
- Both faced COVID-19 delays.
- Russia's past withdrawal from Chandrayaan 2 due to the Fobos-Grunt mission failure.
- Roscosmos and ISRO collaborated, excluding any competitive race.
4. Luna 25's Failure and Speculation:
- Roscosmos formed a committee to investigate Luna 25's failure.
- Craft experienced a technical issue, exceeding its operational parameters.
- Social media speculation by experts centers on a specific event.
- During an orbital change for landing, Luna 25 potentially used excessive thrust.
- This might have caused the craft to deviate from its intended orbit.
- Roscosmos lost communication during this maneuver.
- Roscosmos Director-General Yury Borisov mentioned an engine firing longer than planned (127s instead of 84s).
5. Communication Challenges for Luna 25 Rescue:
- Post-Ukraine invasion, Russia faced global sanctions.
- Lost access to satellite tracking due to strained international relations.
- NASA and European Space Agency helped ISRO track Chandrayaan 3.
- Russia could communicate with Luna 25 only at three stations: two in Russia, and one in Crimea.
- Limited communication window - only when the moon is over Russia.
- Attempted to contact Luna 25 during this small window but received no response.
6. Russia's Lunar Prospects Post Luna 25:
- Russia faces a lunar setback after Luna 25's failure.
- Was already lagging in moon exploration.
- Previously partnered with NASA for near-moon space station (limited role).
- Role in space endeavors diminishing.
- International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) phase includes Luna 26 and 27.
- ILRS aims at technology demonstration and site selection.
- Luna 25 failure and Western sanctions impact future launch dates (2027-2028).
- Russia's contribution and role in ILRS could be further limited due to these challenges.
7. The International Lunar Research Station (ILRS):
- ILRS represents a collaborative lunar exploration initiative. It is led by Russia and China, designed for scientific research and exploration. It aims to establish a research station on the moon's surface.
- Intends to support long-term human presence and scientific activities. Contrasts with the U.S.-led Artemis program and its focus on crewed missions. ILRS has a broader scope, emphasizing research, technology, and international cooperation.
Significance:
- Represents a global shift towards cooperative space exploration.
- Encourages peaceful uses of outer space and knowledge exchange.
- Addresses diverse research interests while reducing duplication of efforts.
- Offers a platform for countries with varying space capabilities to contribute.
- Reflects the moon's growing importance as a stepping stone for deeper space exploration.
Challenges and Opportunities:
- Balancing geopolitical interests and ensuring equal participation.
- Technological and logistical challenges for sustained lunar presence.
- Provides a model for future international space collaborations beyond the moon.
8. ROSCOSMOS: The Russian Federal Space Agency
Role and Mandate:
- ROSCOSMOS, officially known as the State Corporation for Space Activities "Roscosmos," is Russia's federal space agency.
- Responsible for the nation's space activities, including research, development, and operation of space programs.
History:
- Founded in 1992 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the disbandment of the Soviet space agency.
- Evolved from the legacy of Soviet space achievements, like launching the first human into space.
Key Functions:
- Launching: Coordinates launches of various spacecraft, including crewed missions, satellites, and interplanetary probes.
- Research and Development: Leads the development of new space technologies, vehicles, and systems.
- International Cooperation: Engages in collaborative efforts with space agencies worldwide, contributing to joint missions and projects.
- Cosmonaut Training: Manages the training and selection of Russian cosmonauts for space missions.
- Satellite Navigation: Oversees Russia's satellite navigation system, GLONASS, similar to the GPS system.
Notable Achievements:
- Launching the first human, Yuri Gagarin, into space in 1961.
- Soviet-era moon exploration, robotic lunar rovers, and sample return missions.
- Development of Soyuz spacecraft, a reliable workhorse for human spaceflight.
- Leading role in the International Space Station (ISS) program, providing crew transportation and key modules.
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For Prelims: Luna 25, Soyuz 2 rocket, ROSCOSMOS: The Russian Federal Space Agency, European Space Agency (ESA), NASA, ISRO, International Space Station (ISS), International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), and Chandrayaan 3.
For Mains: 1. How has Russia's space agency, ROSCOSMOS, evolved and adapted in the modern era to address challenges, maintain its legacy in space exploration, and contribute to international collaborative efforts? (250 words).
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Previous year Questions1. Examine the two statements carefully and select the correct answer using the code given below. (UPSC EPFO 2016)
Statement I: The force on Moon due to Earth is the action, while the force on Earth due to Moon is the reaction
Statement II: To every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
A. Both statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I
B. Both statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I
C. Statement I is true but Statement II is false
D. Statement I is false but Statement II is true
Answer: A
2. Which of the following statement/s is/are correct? (Karnataka PSC prelims 2017)
A. A female astronaut Christina Koch spent 328 days, a record-breaker in space during 2019 - 20.
B. Christina Koch was accompanied by astronauts Luca Parmitano and Alexander Skvortsov.
C. Research during the mission was growing protein crystals for potential use in treatment for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
A. Only A is correct
B. A and B are correct
C. B and C are correct
D. A, B, and C are correct
Answer: D
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Source: The Hindu
