Russia launches lunar module as India’s Chandrayaan-3 nears moon landing

Russia on August 11 launched its first lunar mission in over 50 years, entering a race against India to become the first nation to land on the moon's south pole.

Both Indian and Russian spacecraft are expected to land on August 23, ensuring tight competition.

The Russian probe will stay on the moon’s surface for a year to collect and analyze samples.

Only three governments have managed successful moon landings so far - the Soviet Union, the United States and China. India and Russia are aiming to be the first to land at the moon’s south pole.

Roscosmos, Russia's space agency, said it wants to show Russia “is a state capable of delivering a payload to the moon,” and “ensure Russia’s guaranteed access to the moon’s surface.”

The lunar south pole is of particular interest to scientists, who believe the permanently shadowed polar craters may contain water. The frozen water in the rocks could be transformed by future explorers into air and rocket fuel.

(With AP inputs)