Europe stops cooperating with Russia on Moon and Mars missions

Part of the Luna-25 mission – Photo: TASS

ESA will “cease cooperation activities” with the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) on the Luna-25, Luna-26, Luna-27 and ExoMars missions. According to RT Radio, lThe reason is because of Western sanctions imposed on Russia in protest of Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine.

The ESA says the agency is looking to work with NASA and private companies to salvage some of the scientific research associated with these missions.

Accordingly, they is in talks with “a service provider” for the PILOT-D navigation camera test flight, which is scheduled to be tested with the Luna-25 probe. ESA also transferred the drilling and volatility analysis of the Moon, planned to Luna-27, in partnership with NASA.

ESA confirmed that the cessation of cooperation with Roscosmos also means that the ExoMars mission will not take place in September of this year. This mission aims to deploy a rover on the surface of Mars and drill into the surface of the planet to look for signs of life.

According to ESA, the launch pad, carrier module, descent module and Rosalind Franklin rover intended for use on the ExoMars mission have all passed operational assessments.

The Italian company Thales Alenia Space is conducting a “rapid assessment” of the immediate viable alternatives.

The ESA’s announcement comes a day after President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Russia will launch the Luna-25 lunar probe in August 2022 despite facing sanctions and Western pressure.

After the Luna-25 mission, Russia plans to launch Luna-26 and Luna-27 in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

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