# Lunar Lander

> proposed 2018 ESA Moon mission

**Wikidata**: [Q6703671](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6703671)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_Lander_(spacecraft))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lunar-lander-q6703671

## Summary
The Lunar Lander was a proposed robotic spacecraft mission by the European Space Agency (ESA) scheduled for 2018. Designed as an uncrewed lunar lander, the mission aimed to deliver a robotic payload to the surface of the Moon, specifically targeting the lunar south pole. It was to be launched aboard a Soyuz-2.1b rocket.

## Key Facts
- **Operator:** European Space Agency (ESA)
- **Mission Type:** Robotic spacecraft / Lunar lander / Space mission
- **Proposed Date:** 2018
- **Destination:** Lunar south pole
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-2.1b
- **Launch Site:** Ensemble de Lancement Soyouz
- **Spacecraft Class:** Uncrewed spacecraft intended for lunar surface landing
- **Wikidata ID:** /m/0crf621 (Freebase ID)

## FAQs
### Q: Was the Lunar Lander a crewed mission?
A: No, the Lunar Lander was designed as a robotic spacecraft. It was an uncrewed mission intended to operate under telerobotic control.

### Q: Where was the Lunar Lander intended to land?
A: The mission's destination was the lunar south pole.

### Q: What rocket was scheduled to launch the ESA Lunar Lander?
A: The spacecraft was proposed to be launched using a Soyuz-2.1b rocket from the Ensemble de Lancement Soyouz.

## Why It Matters
The Lunar Lander represents a distinct proposal by the European Space Agency to advance its capabilities in planetary exploration beyond Earth orbit. As a proposed 2018 mission, it highlights the strategic interest in the lunar south pole, a region of high scientific interest, distinguishing it from earlier equatorial lunar landings. The mission architecture demonstrates the application of robotic spacecraft technology for surface exploration, allowing for scientific operations without the complexity and cost of human life support systems.

Furthermore, the mission's reliance on the Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle and the Ensemble de Lancement Soyouz underscores the international and collaborative nature of modern space logistics. By classifying the entity simultaneously as a "space mission," "robotic spacecraft," and "lunar lander," the proposal signifies a multi-faceted approach to space exploration, integrating guidance, navigation, and landing technologies into a single autonomous system.

## Notable For
- Being a specific proposal by the **European Space Agency** for a lunar surface mission.
- Targeting the **lunar south pole**, a location distinct from the landing sites of the 20th-century Apollo missions.
- Utilizing the **Soyuz-2.1b** rocket configuration for a deep-space launch.
- Operating as a **telerobotic** uncrewed system rather than a crewed vessel.
- Serving as a designated **"Lunar Lander"** class vehicle within ESA mission planning.

## Body

### Mission Overview
The Lunar Lander was a space mission proposal developed by the European Space Agency (ESA). Scheduled for a potential launch in 2018, the primary objective was the soft landing of a robotic spacecraft on the Moon. The mission was classified as an instance of a lunar lander, robotic spacecraft, and space mission.

### Technical Specifications
The spacecraft was designed to function as an uncrewed vehicle, typically operating under telerobotic control. As a lunar lander, its specific function was to descend to and operate on the surface of the Moon.

### Launch and Operations
The proposed launch strategy for the Lunar Lander involved specific orbital and hardware parameters:
*   **Launch Vehicle:** The mission was slated to use the Soyuz-2.1b, a version of the Soyuz-2 rocket.
*   **Start Point:** The launch was to originate from the Ensemble de Lancement Soyouz (ELS), a launch complex designed for Soyuz rockets.
*   **Destination:** The targeted arrival point was the lunar south pole.