Zond 5

Soviet Union1968Moon circumlunarProton-KUSSR

AgencySoviet Union

Year1968

TypeMoon circumlunar

RocketProton-K

CountryUSSR

About the Mission

Flew tortoises, flies, and other organisms around the Moon and back, the first living things to make the lunar round trip. A precursor to a Soviet crewed circumlunar flight. The craft skipped off the atmosphere and was recovered from the Indian Ocean by Soviet ships. The tortoises survived in good health. Showed the USSR was still racing Apollo to the Moon.

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