Status
Success
Luna-2
Launch Time
Sat Sep 12, 1959 06:39 UTC
Sat Sep 12, 1959 06:39 UTC
First probe to impact the surface of the Moon in history. First probe to take detailed photos of the lunar surface.
Rocket
Mission Details
Luna-2
The Ye-1A series of Soviet lunar probes attempted to reach the moon's surface. Two were launched, but only the second was successful and was named Luna 2. Luna 2 became the first human-made object to reach the moon.
The Ye-1A series were improved versions of the Ye-1 series. The payload included scintillation counters, Geiger counters, a magnetometer, Cherenkov detectors, and micrometeorite detectors. It also carried two sphere-shaped Soviet pennants, with the surface covered by identical pentagonal elements, which were to be shattered on impact.
Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 390.0 kg
Trans Lunar Injection
Location
Site 1/5, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Stats
1959
16th orbital launch attempt
Vostok
6th mission
3rd mission of 1959
1st successful mission
1st consecutive successful mission