217 



U.S.S.R. 



LUNA 1-24 

 U.S.S.R. 



"Big Science" Descriptor ; Space: lunar and planetary probes 



Description of Facility/Instrument : This was an extensive lunar program 

 by the Soviets which included "hard" landers, soft landers, 

 orblters, and sample return vehicles. Three spacecraft sent 

 back approximately 330 grams of lunar soil by automated means: 

 two were roving vehicles (LUNOKHODS) which would travel over the 

 lunar surface for extended observation and experiments. 



Date of Construction: 1959-1974 (launches) 



Construction Cost; 



1984 $$ 



Present International Cooperation 



Natlonallty(s) of Ownership : U.S.S.R 

 Nationality (s) of Operational Funding : U.S.S.R. 

 Nationality (s) of Management Staff : U.S.S.R. 

 Nationality(s) of Researchers : U.S.S.R. 



Other Information: 



Launched 



LUNA 1 



: January 2, 1959, to strike the Moon, It missed 

 the Moon and entered solar orbit. 



LUNA 2 



September 12, 1959, to strike the Moon, It was 

 a success. 



LUNA 3 



October 4, 1959, to photograph the Moon. It 

 succeeded and returned pictures of 70 percent 

 of the far side of the Moon. 



LUNA 4 



April 2, 1963, partial success. It attempted to 

 soft land on the Moon, but missed the Moon and 

 entered solar orbit. 



LUNA 5 



May 9, 1965, partial success. It attempted a 

 soft landing on the Moon, but missed the Moon 

 and went Into solar orbit. 



LUNA 6 



: June 8, 1965, partial success. It attempted a 

 soft landing on the Moon, but missed the Moon 

 and went Into solar orbit. 



LUNA 7 



October 4, 1965, partial success. This intended 

 soft landing, retrofitted early, fell on the 

 Moon. 



LUNA 8 



December 3, 1965, partial success. This 

 intended soft landing, retrofitted early, fell 

 on the Moon. 



