E-3 n°3 (Luna-3)

This probe was launched onto a free-return trajectory around the moon and its purpose was to photograph its far side, which was sunlit at the time. It took 29 pictures covering 70% of the moon's far side and transmitted them when it came back near Earth, but due to poor signal strength only 17 poor-quality pictures were successfully sent. Nevertheless, after image stitching and computer enhancement they created an Atlas of the Far Side of the Moon, which was very exciting for everyone worldwide. It showed a mountainous surface, very different from the near side.