Russia's Luna-25: First Lunar Lander in 47 Years Snaps Historic Space Photos

Russia's Luna-25, the country's first lunar lander since 1976, has transmitted its first images from space. The images, taken at a distance of about 192,625 miles from Earth, show the Russian flag and mission patch on the spacecraft's structure, as well as Earth and the moon shining against the blackness of space. Luna-25 is on its way to the moon and is expected to reach its lunar destination on August 15. Once on the lunar surface, the lander will analyze lunar soil, search for water ice, and conduct experiments on the moon's thin atmosphere. This mission adds to the growing list of international moon missions focused on the lunar south pole region.