The first Russian lunar mission, Luna 25, in 50 years failed after the spacecraft crashed into the moon, authorities announced on Sunday.
The unmanned craft was due to be the first craft to land on the Moon's south pole.
The craft faced several problems as it spun and moved into its pre-landing orbit.
It was set to explore these areas of the moon as scientists think that they may hold frozen water.
Roscosmos, Russia's state space corporation, said early this morning that it had lost contact with the Luna-25 shortly.
Roscosmos said in a statement: "The apparatus moved into an unpredictable orbit and ceased to exist as a result of a collision with the surface of the Moon."
The Luna-25 craft launched from Vostochny Cosmodrome on August 11.
It was expected to make history by making a soft landing on Monday or Tuesday, a few days before the Indian mission.
Follow the latest news on Google News
