The unmanned craft was due to make a soft landing on the Moon's south pole.

https://archive.li/10BV3

The unmanned craft was due to make a soft landing on the Moon’s south pole, but failed after encountering problems as it moved into its pre-landing orbit.

It was Russia’s first Moon mission in almost 50 years.

Russia has been racing to the Moon’s south pole against India, whose Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft is scheduled to land on there next week.

No country has ever landed on the south pole before, although both the US and China have landed softly on the Moon’s surface.

No report on whether or not Russia was attempting to use repurposed anti-ship missiles like the ones they use to attack schools and hospitals here on Earth.

    • FaceDeer@kbin.social
      178·
      10 months ago

      On the one hand, science yadda yadda knowledge for all mankind etc.

      On the other hand, failure and humiliation to Russia.

      I’m actually a big fan of space exploration and of the exploration and exploitation of the Moon in particular, but under the current circumstances I’m not terribly saddened on the balance.

      • Bloops
        1211·
        10 months ago

        It sounds like you don’t care that much about science if you’re actually considering national humiliation to be as important as scientific progress.

        • eskimofry@lemmy.ml
          8·
          10 months ago

          Actually a little bit of humiliation goes a long way towards diligence when conducting expensive space experiments. Russia used to be the leaders in these fields. The world used to rely on Soviet vehicles for launch. They deserve to be held at a higher standard.

        • FaceDeer@kbin.social
          1011·
          10 months ago

          I care very much about science. However, it’s not the only thing I care about, and thwarting Russia’s endeavours are also right up there. Real lives are at stake as opposed to hypothetical and abstract scientific returns. If Russia’s humiliation causes Putin’s regime to collapse quicker then I care about that very much indeed.

          How much science was really going to come out of this lander, in the grand scheme of things? Why can’t that science wait?