MOSCOW. Aug 17 (Interfax) - The flight of the Luna 25 automated interplanetary spacecraft in lunar orbit is normal, Roscosmos said on Thursday.
"All of the automated spacecraft's systems are functioning normally, [and] communication with it is stable," Roscosmos' press service said.
The spacecraft began orbiting the Moon on August 16.
Russia launched the first lunar mission in its modern history on August 11. A Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle coupled with a Fregat upper stage and carrying the Luna 25 lander lifted off from Vostochny Cosmodrome.
Luna 25's touchdown on the lunar surface is scheduled for August 21, Roscosmos CEO Yury Borisov said.
Luna 25 is part of Russia's lunar program, and the first Russian lunar mission pursued by NPO Lavochkin to explore and make practical use of the Moon and circumlunar space using landing craft.