Top Russian astronomer Mikhail Marov hospitalised as Vladimir Putin’s moon mission ends in failure

A Russian astronomer who worked on Vladimir Putin’s botched mission to the moon has been hospitalised.

This handout photograph taken by the Luna-25 rover (Moon-25) and released by Russian Space Agency Roscosmos on August 17, 2023, shows the Zeeman lunar impact crater on the far side of the Moon. (Photo by Handout / Russian Space Agency Roscosmos / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / HO/Russian Space Agency Roscosmos " - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

A Russian astronomer who worked on Vladimir Putin’s botched mission to the moon has been hospitalised.

Mikhail Marov, 90, who had been described as a key consultant in the mission, suffered a “sharp deterioration” in his health following the crash of the Luna-25 spacecraft.

The unmanned space vessel spun out of control and crashed into the moon’s surface on Saturday as Russia’s first lunar expedition in 47 years ended in embarrassment.

Marov’s health problems are believed to have arisen after he called for an investigation into the failure of the mission.

Russian sources already point to corruption inside the nation’s space agency for the botched expedition.

The unmanned space vessel spun out of control and crashed into the moon’s surface on Saturday as Russia’s first lunar expedition in 47 years ended in embarrassment.

This handout photograph taken by the Luna-25 rover (Moon-25) and released by Russian Space Agency Roscosmos on August 17, 2023, shows the Zeeman lunar impact crater on the far side of the moon. (Photo by Handout / Russian Space Agency Roscosmos / AFP)

Putin is expected to fire those he sees as responsible for Moscow’s humiliation.

Marov clarified that his devastation at the failed landing was the reason for his hospitalisation in Moscow’s elite Central Clinical Hospital.

The scientist felt that the Luna-25 mission was his “last hope to see the revival of our lunar programme”, and his dreams have now been dashed.

Russian sources already point to corruption inside the nation’s space agency for the botched expedition.

Marov explained: “It’s sad that we didn’t manage to land the device.

“There was a mistake in the algorithms for launching into near-lunar orbit. It must be found.

“For the specialists involved in the commission’s work, this will not be a big problem. I think the answer will be found in the foreseeable future.”

This article originally appeared in PerthNow and was reproduced with permission