Luna 28
Luna 28 (Luna Resource 2 or Luna-Grunt rover) is a proposed sample-return mission from the south polar region of the Moon.[3][4]
Names | Luna Resource 2 Luna-Grunt rover |
---|---|
Mission type | Sample-return |
Operator | Roscosmos |
Spacecraft properties | |
Launch mass | 4,363 kg (fueled)[1] |
Payload mass | 400 kg [1] |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 2027[2] |
End of mission | |
Landing site | Lunar south pole |
Moon rover | |
Luna 28 is proposed to launch no earlier than 2025, and it would be composed of a stationary lander and a lunar rover.[1] The rover would bring soil samples back to the lander and transfer them into the ascent stage, which would launch and insert itself into a 100-kilometer lunar orbit. While in lunar orbit, the soil-carrying capsule would be intercepted by an orbiting return module, which would perform all rendezvous operations and transfer the samples. After reloading the samples, the return vehicle separates from the orbiter and heads to Earth, while the orbital module continues its mission in the lunar orbit for at least three years.[1]
Potential collaboration
NASA is assessing a potential cooperation with Russia for Luna 25 through Luna 28.[5]
References
- Luna-Grunt (Lunar Sample-Return/Luna-28) mission. Russian Space Web. Accessed 15 March 2018.
- Россия планирует доставить образцы лунного грунта на Землю в 2027 году
- Lunar Exploration Timeline. Lunar and Planetary Institute. 2018.
- Robotic Missions of Russian Lunar Program. Alexander Zakharov and Ilia Kuznetsov. Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. 2017.
- NASA studying potential cooperation on Russian lunar science missions. Jeff Foust, Space News. 13 October 2017.