Luna 16
AgencySoviet Union
Year1970
TypeMoon sample return
RocketProton-K
CountryUSSR
About the Mission
The first robotic sample return from the Moon. Drilled 35 cm into the surface and brought back 101 grams of soil in September 1970. Only the third mission ever to return lunar material, after Apollo 11 and 12. Proved automated sample return at a fraction of crewed cost. Three more Luna sample flights followed.
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