 Maquette of Luna-26 Moon orbiter | |
| Names | Luna-Resurs-Orbiter Luna-Resurs O |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Lunar orbiter, data relay |
| Operator | Roscosmos |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Luna |
| Launch mass | 2,100 kg (4,600 lb)[1] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | September 2027 (planned)[2] |
| Rocket | Soyuz-2.1b /Fregat-M |
| Launch site | VostochnySite 1S |
| Contractor | Roscosmos |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Selenocentric orbit |
| Regime | Polar orbit |
| Periselene altitude | 80 km |
| Aposelene altitude | 50 km |
| Moon orbiter | |
Luna 26 (Luna-Resurs-Orbiter[3] orLuna-Resurs O[4]) is a planned lunar polar orbiter, part of theLuna-Glob program, byRoscosmos. In addition to its scientific role, the Luna 26 orbiter would also function as a telecomm relay betweenEarth and Russian landed assets.[1] This mission was announced in November 2014, and its launch is planned for 2027 on aSoyuz-2.1blaunch vehicle.[2]
The Luna 26 orbiter mission has been in planning since at least 2011.[1] Originally it was envisioned to be launched to theMoon together with the lunar landerLuna 27 which will land on theSouth Pole–Aitken basin, an unexplored area on thefar side of the Moon,[5][4][6] but because of mass limitations, they will be launched separately.[1] The orbiter's mass is about 2100 kg.[1]
The objective of the orbiter is to locate and quantify naturallunar resources thatcan be exploited by future landed missions.[7] After completion of its primary mission, the spacecraft's orbit will be raised to about 500 km altitude to studycosmic rays.[3]
TheEuropean Space Agency (ESA) had intended to contribute to this and otherLuna-Glob missions in the manner of communications, precision landing, hazard avoidance, drilling, sampling, sample analysis and ground support.[8][9] ESA cooperation with Russia on Luna 26 was discontinued on 13 April 2022 asa consequence of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[10]
As of October 2017, the U.S. space agencyNASA was negotiating and assessing a potential collaboration with theLuna-Glob missionsLuna 25 throughLuna 28.[11]
In September 2019, theChina National Space Administration (CNSA) and Roscosmos signed two agreements on scientific cooperation and coordination between Luna 26 and the upcomingChang'e 7 lunar polar orbiter.[12]
The scientific payload on board the orbiter is composed of fourteen instruments[1] that will be fabricated by Russia and by some European partners.[1] The payload will study the lunar surface and the environment around the Moon, including thesolar wind, and high-energycosmic rays.[1] In 2017, the possibility to carry some NASA instruments was discussed.[11] Luna 26 will also scout landing sites for the plannedLuna 27 lander mission.[13]
Following the failure of theLuna 25 mission, the fate of the Luna 26 orbiter has been put into question.[14] Due to the entire Roscosmos leadership team from Luna 25 being replaced, the Luna 26 mission is likely to continue as planned so that the new leadership team can get experience with a Lunar orbiter before attempting another landing withLuna 27.[15] However, there is still a chance that Luna 26 as it exists is scrapped in favor of another attempt at the Luna 25 lander. Regardless, the loss of Luna 25 will delay the Luna 26 mission in whatever form it takes.[16]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.| Launch sites |  | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch vehicles | |||||||||
| Human spaceflight programs |
| ||||||||
| Robotic programs |
| ||||||||
| Communications | |||||||||
| Concepts | |||||||||
| Images and artwork | |||||||||
| Related | |||||||||
