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.

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[–] NuclearDolphin@lemmy.ml 43 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Comments exactly what I expected. Disappointed how many people here are knee jerk celebrating the failure. Feels like being in a room full of Republicans when someone says anything about Mexico or Islam.

I hope they fix their shit for Luna 26 for the sake of science and human discovery.

[–] ElHexo@hexbear.net 33 points 1 year ago

It's disappointing particularly because it would have been the first landing on the south pole.

It's also a bit silly because NASA hasn't exactly being doing so well since their last moon landing more than half a century ago.

[–] Zippy@lemmy.world 15 points 1 year ago (2 children)

You know normally I would applaud them. Happy when China has a success. Screw Russia though. This was a propaganda mission to get a win. The fact that did it in a rush to beat another country is typical of their philosophy. There was little science in this but mostly just dick waving.

[–] Grimpen@lemmy.ca 5 points 1 year ago

This was my impression. This was a rushed propaganda mission for prestige using existing material.

Still, I'm sure there would have been some useful science done, but the main point of the mission was that Putin's regime would have been able to crow about how great Russia is doing.

Of course, if it had succeeded, it might have spurred some competitive spirit in other space powers.

[–] anarchy79@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

I still haven't ruled out that Putin was trying to invade the moon.

[–] Gerula@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Well your intention is admirable but childish.

Nobody gives a fuck about Russia's scientific endeavours when they're re starting the biggest military conflict in Europe since WWII and threatening everyone with a nuclear conflict.

Most probably any scientific progress that could be made will not be used for mankind's progress but for the current militaristic propaganda.

[–] NuclearDolphin@lemmy.ml 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

All of Apollo took place during the Vietnam war. Somehow I think you'd feel differently about that.

[–] Gerula@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

You're correct about the Appolo missions, but don't tell me the Space Race was about science. It's was fully politically motivated also. Without the Cold War nobody would have put the money and effort in so the Moon landing could happen in '69.

There are a lot of other missions that happened for pure scientific reasons but I don't think this is one of them.

[–] AlexTheTurtle@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Disagree. I hate the russian goverment and its fascist invasion lf Ukraine, but a moon lander is great scientific progress no matter where it comes from. It is sad that this happened and its why the lack of international cooperation in space exploration is bad for humanity as a whole.

[–] Gerula@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

I understand your point of view and it's correct but not realistic. This mission is bashed because it's purpose was never science but propaganda. To validate a Phoenix like revival of the Russian empire. That they are strong and relevant on the world scene. The reactions to the failure were in tune with the intended purpose of the mission. Science (like usual) is the background of the political agenda.

[–] spaceout@lemm.ee -3 points 1 year ago

People here acting like a moon mission is going to uncover the cure for cancer. lmao

[–] KIM_JONG_JUICEBOX@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I thought Russia said they would not share any of the science.

[–] GarbageShoot@hexbear.net 9 points 1 year ago

Even if that is correct (I just don't know, I don't follow this stuff), external observation can still be useful.