First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov announced that work on the Luna-26 project is proceeding within the approved program, following the baseline scenario that envisions launching the spacecraft in 2027. This update was reported by TASS. Manturov emphasized that Roscosmos leadership had previously indicated a readiness to push the project to 2026 if circumstances allowed.
Earlier disclosures suggested that Luna-26 and Luna-27 would be launched in the near future to conduct a series of Moon-focused studies. Luna-26 is planned to carry 13 scientific instruments and will focus on examining the meteorite hazard posed by near-Earth space as it relates to the Moon, enabling a better understanding of how impact events could affect lunar operations and potentially Earth. [Source: TASS]
Luna-27 is slated for a 2028 launch window and will probe the Moon’s south polar region, using more than a dozen instruments to analyze soil composition and the presence of water ice. This mission aims to map the distribution of rock-forming minerals, volatile content, and the thermal properties of the polar terrain, shedding light on how resources could support future robotic and human activities. [Source: TASS]
In addition to soil and ice investigations, both missions are expected to contribute data on the broader cislunar environment, including hydrogen content and various chemical and physical parameters that influence surface illumination, regolith properties, and potential radiation hazards. The program envisions a phased approach, where findings from Luna-26 and Luna-27 will inform subsequent initiatives, potentially including lunar rovers and expanded surface exploration concepts within Russia’s scientific lunar program. [Source: TASS]
When these missions are completed, the Russian lunar program intends to reassess future objectives and consider new, technologically diverse projects that build on the established scientific baselines. This iterative planning underscores a long-term commitment to lunar science and in-situ resource assessment, while aligning with international efforts to understand the Moon’s environment and its practical implications for exploration. [Source: TASS]
For the first time in history, soil samples and geologic insights are expected to be obtained from the far side of the Moon, a milestone that could open new avenues for comparative planetology and deep-space research. [Source: TASS]