Roscosmos chief Yuri Borisov presented a clear schedule for future Moon missions, confirming Luna-26 is set for 2027, Luna-27 for 2028, and Luna-28 for 2030 or later. The remarks came as the agency reviewed its mission calendar with media groups, including TASS.
On August 11, authorities announced that Luna-25 had launched from the Vostochny spaceport on a Soyuz-2.1b rocket with the Frigate upper stage, delivering the autonomous lander toward its target.
The Roscosmos leader stated that Luna-25 should achieve a soft landing on the Moon by August 21, marking a notable milestone for Russia in planetary exploration.
Earlier, Roscosmos signaled a scheduling adjustment to the Luna-25 project to ensure credible engineering and operational reliability. The launch window shifted from July to August to reflect a careful assessment of mission readiness.
In July, Luna-25 was transported to Vostochny, where ground teams prepared the probe for the journey to the lunar surface. The mission aims to study the Moon’s south polar region, with a landing planned near the Boguslavsky crater.
Historically, Russia has carried out a sequence of lunar missions under the Luna program, with Luna-24 as the most recent domestic lunar mission before Luna-25. The Luna program remains a central element of Russia’s robotic science and lunar surface studies.
Space analysts note that the Luna program fits into a broader strategy to maintain a foothold in lunar exploration, relying on mature launch vehicles and proven upper stages to advance scientific payloads. Roscosmos has emphasized reliability, mission longevity, and the ability to conduct high-value research on the Moon’s surface.
Moves at the Vostochny spaceport and the readiness of the Soyuz-2.1b with Frigate underscore Russia’s ongoing commitment to deep-space science. As Luna-25 approaches its landing window, the program stands as a key part of Russia’s plan for autonomous planetary missions and continued presence in the Moon’s southern regions.