# Luna 26

> planned Russian lunar orbiter

**Wikidata**: [Q24930088](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q24930088)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_26)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/luna-26

## Summary
Luna 26 is a planned Russian lunar orbiter, part of the Luna-Glob mission, scheduled for launch no earlier than 2027. It will be launched from the Vostochny Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-2.1b rocket with a Fregat-M upper stage.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Lunar orbiter
- **Mass**: 2,100 kilograms
- **Country**: Russia
- **Operator**: Roscosmos State Corporation
- **Part of**: Luna-Glob mission
- **Launch date**: No earlier than 2027
- **Launch vehicle**: Soyuz-2.1b with Fregat-M upper stage
- **Launch site**: Vostochny Cosmodrome
- **Aliases**: Luna-Resurs-Orbiter, Luna-Resurs O
- **Wikipedia languages**: Available in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Indonesian, Italian, Maltese, Polish, and Commons

## FAQs
### Q: What is the purpose of Luna 26?
A: Luna 26 is a planned Russian lunar orbiter designed to study the Moon's surface and environment as part of the Luna-Glob mission.

### Q: When is Luna 26 expected to launch?
A: The mission is scheduled for launch no earlier than 2027.

### Q: What rocket will be used to launch Luna 26?
A: Luna 26 will be launched using a Soyuz-2.1b rocket with a Fregat-M upper stage.

### Q: What is the mass of Luna 26?
A: Luna 26 has a mass of 2,100 kilograms.

### Q: What is the relationship between Luna 26 and Luna 25?
A: Luna 26 is part of the Luna-Glob mission, which includes Luna 25, a Russian lunar lander that crashed on the Moon in 2023.

## Why It Matters
Luna 26 is a significant part of Russia's lunar exploration program, following the loss of the Luna 25 lander. As a lunar orbiter, it will provide valuable data on the Moon's surface and environment, contributing to scientific understanding and potential future missions. The mission highlights Russia's continued efforts in space exploration, despite setbacks. Luna 26's success could pave the way for more advanced lunar missions, including potential sample return and human exploration.

## Notable For
- **Part of Luna-Glob**: Luna 26 is a key component of the broader Luna-Glob mission, which includes the Luna 25 lander.
- **Soyuz-2.1b Launch**: The mission will use the Soyuz-2.1b rocket, a reliable launcher for Russian space missions.
- **Fregat-M Upper Stage**: The Fregat-M upper stage will provide the necessary propulsion for the lunar trajectory.
- **Vostochny Cosmodrome**: The launch will take place from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia's newest and most modern spaceport.
- **Scientific Payload**: Luna 26 will carry instruments to study the Moon's surface and environment, contributing to lunar science.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Luna 26 is a planned Russian lunar orbiter, part of the Luna-Glob mission, which aims to study the Moon's surface and environment. The mission is scheduled for launch no earlier than 2027 from the Vostochny Cosmodrome using a Soyuz-2.1b rocket with a Fregat-M upper stage.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 2,100 kilograms
- **Launch Vehicle**: Soyuz-2.1b with Fregat-M upper stage
- **Launch Site**: Vostochny Cosmodrome
- **Operator**: Roscosmos State Corporation

### Relationship to Other Missions
Luna 26 is part of the Luna-Glob mission, which includes the Luna 25 lander. Luna 25, launched in August 2023, suffered a crash on the Moon due to an engine overburn, highlighting the challenges of lunar landings.

### Scientific Objectives
As a lunar orbiter, Luna 26 will carry instruments to study the Moon's surface and environment, contributing to scientific understanding and potential future missions.

### Launch and Trajectory
The mission will use the Soyuz-2.1b rocket, a reliable launcher for Russian space missions. The Fregat-M upper stage will provide the necessary propulsion for the lunar trajectory.

### Significance
Luna 26 is a significant part of Russia's lunar exploration program, following the loss of the Luna 25 lander. The mission highlights Russia's continued efforts in space exploration, despite setbacks. Luna 26's success could pave the way for more advanced lunar missions, including potential sample return and human exploration.

## References

1. [Source](https://spacelaunchnow.me/launch/soyuz-21bfregat-m-luna-26/)