Russia has launched the Luna-25 mission, marking its return to lunar exploration after 47 years. The spacecraft aims to land near the moon’s south pole to collect geological samples and potentially discover water or its building blocks, crucial for future human colonization efforts. The launch follows India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, set to land on August 23. The Luna-25 launch signifies Russia’s bid to regain its space exploration reputation amid challenges posed by sanctions and conflicts. The mission is distinct from Chandrayaan-3 in terms of landing sites and objectives. While Luna-25’s success won’t impact Chandrayaan-3, both missions aim to find water and collect scientific data on the moon’s surface.