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LANDING SITEOceanus Procellarum
LAT7.08°
LON-64.37°
MOON
Feb 3, 1966
LANDING DATE
1966
3 days
MISSION DURATION
TOTAL
-150 to 120 C (depending on sun)
SURFACE TEMP
AT LANDING SITE
99
KG
MASS
2
INSTRUMENTS
SCIENTIFIC PAYLOAD
Luna 9 is a lander mission by OKB-1 / Soviet Academy of Sciences on Moon. Landed February 3, 1966. Landing site: Oceanus Procellarum.
ABOUT LUNA 9
Luna 9 was the first spacecraft to achieve a soft landing on the Moon and transmit photographic data from the lunar surface back to Earth. It landed in Oceanus Procellarum on February 3, 1966, proving that the lunar surface was solid enough to support a lander — dispelling concerns that spacecraft might sink into deep dust. Its panoramic images were intercepted and published by Jodrell Bank Observatory in England before the Soviets officially released them.
KEY DISCOVERIES
- Proved lunar surface could support a landed spacecraft
- First panoramic images of the Moon surface
- Surface was firm enough to support future crewed landings
TECHNOLOGY & FIRSTS
- First spacecraft to achieve a soft landing on the Moon
- First to transmit photographs from the lunar surface
- Airbag landing system
SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS (2)
Television camera system
Radiation detector
SPACECRAFT SPECIFICATIONS
Mass99 kg (218 lbs)
PowerBattery
CommunicationsRadio transmitter, received by Jodrell Bank
Design Life3 days
Landing DateFebruary 3, 1966
Mission EndFebruary 6, 1966
ProgramLuna
SURFACE DATA
Surface Temperature-150 to 120 C (depending on sun)
OTHER MOON LANDERS
🚀 LAUNCH MISSION