Russia to launch lunar mission on Friday, first in nearly 5 decades

Russia said Monday it plans to launch a lunar lander later this week after multiple delays, hoping to return to the Moon for the first time in nearly fifty years.

"A Soyuz (rocket) for the launch of the Luna-25 (lander) has been assembled," the Russian space agency said, ahead of what will be Moscow's first lunar mission since 1976. “The launch is on August 11.”