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Launch of Luna-26, Luna-27 may be postponed, space chief Rogozin says

After its trials are concluded, the control launch date will be determined

MOSCOW, April 29. /TASS/. The launch of the Luna-26 lunar orbiter and the Luna-27 heavy lander may be postponed over the current circumstances, Head of the State Space Corporation Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin said in an interview with TASS.

He stressed that the Luna-25 mission will be launched in 2022. After its trials are concluded, the control launch date will be determined. "As for the Luna-26 lunar orbiter and the Luna-27 heavy lander mission, possibly, it will be adjusted taking into account that in the current situation we will be spending the main financial and industrial resources on increasing the orbital group. Now it is more important," the space chief emphasized.

The Roscosmos CEO also asked for understanding if the mission is postponed. "Science is very important but now we are talking about the viability of Russia’s orbital group, about bringing it to a new level, its work as a group of double and military designation. Yet we are not postponing the lunar missions for long," he added.

The Luna-25 is set to become the first domestic spacecraft in Russia’s modern history on the surface of the Earth’s natural satellite. Under the lunar project, the Luna-25 automatic station will be launched for studies in the area of the lunar south pole. The lander is set to touch down in the area of the Boguslawsky crater. The launch is scheduled for 2022.