The Ballistic Center of the M.V. Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics of the Russian Academy of Sciences has carried out a detailed simulation of the trajectory of the Luna-25 after the failed „velocity switch“ on August 19, 2023, leading to the death of the device.

As a result, it turned out that the probe should have fallen at 14:58, a minute after the loss of contact with it (the hour of loss of communication is according to Roscosmos).

The institute’s report states that the point of impact was the Pontecullan G crater with a diameter of 42 kilometers.

The crater’s coordinates are between 56.83 and 58.20 degrees south latitude and between 59.21 and 61.66 degrees east longitude. The crater itself is located next to the great ancient Pontecullan lunar cirque, up to 5.8 kilometers deep. The site „Ponteculan“ is named in honor of Philippe Gustave Ponteculan (1795-1874), a French military man who was engaged in astronomy in his spare time and calculated the orbit of Halley’s comet extremely accurately – for his era.

The drop zone of the Russian automatic interplanetary probe. Credit: IPM International Network of Optical Telescopes. M.V. Keldysha RAS

Here you can see the crater in an interactive map of the Moon created from its images. Pontecullan G is located on the visible side of the Earth satellite and is relatively easily accessible for observation. This means that the mathematicians’ calculations can be fully verified with the help of images from future missions to the Moon, the resolution of which will allow to see traces of the fall of the Russian apparatus, despite its modest size. Unfortunately, the Pontecullan G crater itself is not large enough to be seen from Earth with the naked eye.

ROSCOSMOS’ EXPLANATION OF THE DEATH OF MOON-25

According to the head of the state-owned corporation, the accident occurred because the engine was running too long. This usually happens with software bugs, although other versions cannot be ruled out either. His version does not differ much from the earlier assumptions already mentioned.

On August 19, 2023, at 15:00 Moscow time, Roscosmos lost contact with Luna-25 shortly after performing its second deceleration into lunar orbit. Now the head of the state corporation, Yuri Borisov, names more specific reasons for the demise of the automatic interplanetary probe.

„Unfortunately, the shutdown of the engine did not happen as planned, in accordance with the sequential scheme, and instead of the planned 84 seconds, it worked for 127 seconds. This was the main reason for the accident of the apparatus … But what led to this – it must be understand in detail. I am sure that we will receive all the necessary data during the work of the extraordinary commission. It has already been appointed and has started work. I think that in the very near future we will get the necessary results and we will certainly take this into account in the implementation on the next missions,“ said Borisov.

It should be noted that, taking into account the orbit of Luna-25, such a speed switch meant a rapid loss of speed of the vehicle dangerously close to the surface of the Earth’s satellite.

The entire experiment, Borisov continues, took place in an area of stable radio communication, Roscosmos specialists knew „everything about the ship’s position“.

„However, at 2:57 p.m., communication with the spacecraft was lost. Attempts to reestablish contact were unsuccessful. Preliminary ballistic calculations indicated that due to abnormal operation of the corrective propulsion system, the spacecraft entered an open lunar orbit and actually crashed into the surface of the moon,“ adds the head of the state corporation.

The specific reasons for the longer engine run are unclear. This often happens due to software errors, although some physical malfunctions still cannot be ruled out. Finally, the situation will have to be clarified by the commission investigating the incident.

„Under no circumstances should the lunar program be interrupted. That would be the worst decision. I think the negative experience of interrupting the lunar program for almost 50 years is the main reason for the failures. We actually have to master all the technologies in a new way . Of course, at a new technological level, but no one ever gives a 100% guarantee for such [new] missions. I can give examples that in the last four years the Israeli, Emirati, Indian missions suffered similar failures in landing on the moon,“ he stated Borisov.

At the same time, Borisov noted that the flight gave Russia invaluable experience. He also states that the country should definitely participate in the moon race. Given the fate of „Luna-25“ – a visual demonstration of the problems that non-participation in the lunar program brings. You can see Yuri Borisov’s full interview on this issue here.

Материалът Here is the exact location of the fall of the Russian space probe „Luna 25“ on the moon е публикуван за пръв път на Vihrogon.bg.