Luna 2

Soviet Union1959Moon impactLuna rocketUSSR

AgencySoviet Union

Year1959

TypeMoon impact

RocketLuna rocket

CountryUSSR

About the Mission

The first human-made object to reach another celestial body. Intentionally crashed into the Moon on September 13, 1959. Confirmed the Moon has no significant magnetic field. Scattered Soviet pennants on the lunar surface. The West was stunned again.

Related Missions

Sputnik 1

Soviet Union1957Earth orbit

The first artificial satellite, launched October 4, 1957. Orbited Earth every 96 minutes. Its radio ...

Vostok 1

Soviet Union1961Earth orbit

Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space on April 12, 1961. The flight lasted 108 minutes, one o...

Luna 9

Soviet Union1966Moon landing

First successful soft landing on the Moon, February 3, 1966. The first photos from the lunar surface...

Venera 7

Soviet Union1970Venus landing

First spacecraft to transmit data from the surface of another planet. Survived 23 minutes in 475 deg...