Luna (USSR) - Unmanned Lunar Exploration Program
From the 1950s through the 1970s, the Soviet Union (USSR) had an ambitious plan for lunar exploration using unmanned craft. While the vast majority of the 45 missions failed spectacularly, the successes of this program made space exploration history. Not only were seventeen missions successes, several were also key victories in the space race between the United States and the former USSR.
Luna 4 Information
Luna 4 was the USSR's first successful spacecraft of their "second generation" lunar program. It launched on a Molniya 8K78 on 2 April 1963 at 08:04:00 UT. Instead of being sent on a straight trajectory toward the Moon, the spacecraft (also referred to as an automatic interplanetary station) was placed first in a 167 x 182 km Earth orbit and then was rocketed in a curving path towards the Moon. Unfortunately, during trans-lunar coast the Yupiter astronavigation system failed.
Luna 4 was the USSR's first successful spacecraft of their "second generation" lunar program. It launched on a Molniya 8K78 on 2 April 1963 at 08:04:00 UT. Instead of being sent on a straight trajectory toward the Moon, the spacecraft (also referred to as an automatic interplanetary station) was placed first in a 167 x 182 km Earth orbit and then was rocketed in a curving path towards the Moon. Unfortunately, during trans-lunar coast the Yupiter astronavigation system failed.
USSR Luna Program
From the 1950s through the 1970s, the Soviet Union (USSR) had an ambitious plan for lunar exploration using unmanned craft. While the vast majority of the 45 missions failed spectacularly, the successes of this program made space exploration history. Not only were seventeen missions successes, several were also key victories in the space race between the United States and the former USSR.
From the 1950s through the 1970s, the Soviet Union (USSR) had an ambitious plan for lunar exploration using unmanned craft. While the vast majority of the 45 missions failed spectacularly, the successes of this program made space exploration history. Not only were seventeen missions successes, several were also key victories in the space race between the United States and the former USSR.