Status
Luna 28
NET 2030
First Russian sample return mission since Luna 24.
Rocket
Mission Details
Luna 28
Luna 28 (also named Luna-Grunt) is a proposed sample-return mission from the south polar region of the Moon.
Luna 28 is planned to be composed of a stationary lander and a lunar rover. The rover would bring soil samples back to the lander and transfer them into the ascent stage, which would launch and insert itself into a 100-kilometer lunar orbit. While in lunar orbit, the soil-carrying capsule would be intercepted by an orbiting return module, which would perform all rendezvous operations and transfer the samples. After reloading the samples, the return vehicle separates from the orbiter and heads to Earth, while the orbital module continues its mission in the lunar orbit for at least three years.
This mission architecture is a training for future Martian sample return missions.