Robotic spacecraft missions to the Moon by the Soviet Union (1958–1976)
For the second programme, see Luna-Glob.
Luna space programme
Луна Космическая Программа Luna Kosmicheskaya Programma
Locations of Luna landings on the Moon are marked in red; Apollo missions in green, and Surveyor in yellow.
Program overview
Country
Soviet Union
Purpose
Uncrewed exploration of the Moon
Status
Operational
Programme history
Duration
1958–1976
First flight
Luna E-1 No.1
23 September 1958
Last flight
Luna 24
9 August 1976
Successes
15
Failures
28
Partial failures
1
Launch site(s)
Baikonur Cosmodrome
Vehicle information
Launch vehicle(s)
Luna 8K72
Molniya-L
Molniya-M
Proton-K/D-1
Soyuz 2.1b
The Luna programme (from the Russian word Луна "Luna" meaning "Moon"), occasionally called Lunik by western media,[1] was a series of robotic spacecraft missions sent to the Moon by the Soviet Union between 1959 and 1976. The programme accomplished many firsts in space exploration, including first flyby of the Moon, first impact of the Moon and first photos of the far side of the Moon. Each mission was designed as either an orbiter or lander. They also performed many experiments, studying the Moon's chemical composition, gravity, temperature, and radiation.
Twenty-four spacecraft were formally given the Luna designation, although more were launched. Those that failed to reach orbit were not publicly acknowledged at the time, and not assigned a Luna number. Those that failed in low Earth orbit were usually given Cosmos designations.[2] The estimated cost of the Luna programme in 1964 was US$6–10 billion.[3] The Luna 25 mission also continues the Luna designation, although it is considered to be a part of the Luna-Glob exploration programme.[4] The same applies to other planned missions such as Luna 26, Luna 27 and Luna 28.
^Amy Shira Teitel (13 April 2017). "How Russia Beat the U.S. to the Moon". Daily Beast. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
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