NASA Spacecraft Around Moon Spots Likely Crash Site of Russia’s Lost Lunar Lander

An LROC NAC image enlarged four times centered on the likely Luna 25 crater. NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Arizona State University via AP

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.—A NASA spacecraft around the moon has found the likely crash site of Russia’s lost lunar lander.

The Luna 25 lander slammed into the moon last month, a harsh end to Russia’s first moon mission in almost half a century. Based on observations by its Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, NASA said Thursday that it appears the impact created a crater 33 feet (10 meters) across.