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ESA’s decision to pause cooperation with Russia will not delay launch of Luna-25 probe

The probe was to be equipped with Europe’s experimental navigation camera Pilot-D

MOSCOW, April 13. /TASS/. The European Space Agency’s decision to pause participation in Russia’s Moon exploration programs will not delay the launch of the Luna-25 probe, Roscosmos corporation spokesman Dmitry Strugovets has said.

"The ESA’s decision to suspend cooperation with Roscosmos on lunar programs, including the Luna-25 mission, will not affect the date of the probe’s launch," Strugovets wrote on his Telegram channel.

The probe was to be equipped with Europe’s experimental navigation camera Pilot-D. The ESA’s decision will not affect the tasks of Russia’s probe. A version of such a camera was to be installed on Luna-27, too.

"Also, there were plans for installing Europe’s drilling system PROSPECT on Luna-27. We are capable of making a substitute on our own," he stressed.

Strugovets advised the European counterparts to stop to think on all occasions before taking action.

Earlier, the European Space Agency said it was terminating cooperation with Russia on the Luna-25, Luna-26 and Luna-27 missions due to the special military operation in Ukraine. Also, all of the ESA’s activities being carried out in cooperation with Russia and Ukraine would undergo fundamental revision. For his part, Roscosmos CEO Dmitry Rogozin said that the European instruments would be dismantled from Russian probes.

Modern Russia’s first lunar mission is scheduled for 2022 (Luna-25). Luna-26 is due in 2024, and Luna-27, in 2025. Luna-28 is to follow in 2027-2028.

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