A Russian spacecraft which was unmanned lost control during orbit and crashed into the moon. This is according to Russian space agency reports on August 20.
The unmanned spacecraft was targeting to land on the south pole of the moon an area where scientists believe has frozen water reserves as well as precious elements.
The spacecraft was expected to do the landing on Monday August 2021. Roscosmos reported that they lost contact of the spacecraft known as Luna-25 on Saturday after it developed some difficulties.
“The apparatus moved into an unpredictable orbit and ceased to exist as a result of a collision with the surface of the moon,” read a statement from Roscosmos.
Russia and India were competing to be the first to reach the moon’s south pole. The two countries were expected to reach the moon on August 21 and 23.
This was the first trip to the moon since Russia was part of the Soviet Union in 1976. Only three countries have achieved successful landings on the moon: China, United States of America and Soviet Union.
In 2019, India made an unsuccessful attempt to land on the moon’s south pole. However, their spacecraft crashed on the surface of the moon.
China, USA and other nations interested in space exploration are expected to conduct lunar trips to the south pole in the coming years.
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