Russia is taking a big gamble as it prepares to launch its first spacecraft to the Moon since 1976 on Friday. After decades of failed space missions, and with the war in Ukraine making it a pariah on the international stage, Russia is hoping to re-emerge as a major player in space exploration and consolidate its alliance with China.
On April 12, 1961, Russian astronaut Yuri Gagarin made the first manned flight into space, putting the USSR in the lead in the space race. With this feat, the Soviet Union established its dominance over the United States in space. Six decades later, Russia is once again hoping to make its mark by launching the Luna-25 moon lander on Friday.
