Rocket carrying Russian probe to the moon lifts off

Russia launched a Soyuz rocket carrying a probe to the moon on Friday, live images showed.

The rocket, carrying the Luna-25 probe, lifted off from the Vostochny Cosmodrome, according to live images broadcast by the Russian space agency Roscosmos.

The spacecraft is due to reach lunar orbit in five days, where it will spend three to seven days while the right site for landing is determined.

It is expected to land on the moon's south pole in 10 to 12 days. If successful, it will be the first probe to land there, a potential source of water to support a future human presence.

The 1.8-tonne spacecraft, which will remain on the moon for a year, will be tasked with "taking (samples) and analyzing the soil" as well as "conducting long-term scientific research," said Roscosmos.

It is equipped with a robotic arm which can sample lunar soil at a depth of up to 30 centimeters. All sampling and analysis will be carried out on the moon and the results will be sent back to Earth.

It is the first time Russia has launched a lunar probe since 1976.

The mission will also make it possible for researchers to study soft landing techniques on a lunar surface that was previously inaccessible.

(CGTN)