Russia: The Zorky-2M-2 satellite took photos of the Moon from orbit

A unique scientific and educational experiment was carried out in Earth orbit: with the participation of specialists in the field of ballistics and remote sensing, the Zorky-2M-2 satellite was used for the first time for high-precision photography of the Moon. The device, originally intended for monitoring the Earth's surface, was temporarily adapted into an orbiting telescope, which allowed a series of images of the Earth's natural satellite to be taken in order to calibrate optical systems and develop guidance algorithms.

The project was the result of collaboration between a team from the Space Research faculty of one of the leading universities and specialists from the mission control center of a private aerospace company. The research team used digital planning tools developed as part of the "MCC out of the box" project — MIDE and AstroPlanner. These programs made it possible to accurately simulate the satellite's trajectory, calculate the guidance angles and take into account the dynamics of sunlight, minimizing the likelihood of sensor illumination and data transmission disruptions.

All actions were calculated with an accuracy of one degree, which made it possible to achieve high-definition images suitable for further technical adjustment of the camera. The project also became part of the educational practice: university students took part in the preparation of the mission, making calculations of ballistic restrictions and navigation parameters. This allowed them not only to gain practical skills, but also to contribute to the development of methods for shooting extraterrestrial objects with small satellites.

The experiment confirms the potential of using nanosatellites in tasks that go beyond standard remote sensing. In the context of growing interest in small spacecraft for scientific and educational purposes, the successful launch of the Moon survey demonstrates the possibility of flexible adaptation of such platforms to the tasks of astronomical research.