SOVIET SPACE PROGRAM
Vostok-L 8K72 | Luna-3
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Oct 4, 1959 at 00:43 UTC
▸ Flight profile›
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PAD1/5
SITEBaikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan →ORBITLunar flyby
TYPELunar Exploration
PROGRAMLuna
MISSION OVERVIEW
Luna 3 was a Soviet spacecraft and was the first ever mission to photograph the far side of the moon.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Vostok-L 8K72AGENCY
Soviet Space ProgramMISSION
Luna-3
MISSION TYPE
Lunar Exploration
TARGET ORBIT
Lunar flyby
LAUNCH PAD
1/5LAUNCH SITE
Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of KazakhstanPROGRAM
Luna
COUNTRY
RUS
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 3016d082-58d4-436e-aa6a-379865565edf
Reported date: Oct 4, 1959 at 00:43 UTC
Last synced: 5 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
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VEHICLE — Vostok-L 8K72 →
MANUFACTURER
Energia
VARIANT
L 8K72
FLIGHTS
9
SUCCESSES
3
SUCCESS RATE
33.3%
The Vostok-L was a rocket used by the Soviet Union to conduct several early tests of the Vostok spacecraft
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Vostok-L 8K72 | Luna-3 launch?
The Vostok-L 8K72 | Luna-3 is scheduled for Sunday, October 4, 1959 at 12:43 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Luna-3?
The Vostok-L 8K72 | Luna-3 mission uses the Vostok-L 8K72 rocket, manufactured by Energia. The Vostok-L 8K72 has flown 9 times with a 33.3% success rate.
Where is the Vostok-L 8K72 | Luna-3 launching from?
The launch takes place from 1/5 at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan.
What orbit is Luna-3 going to?
The Luna-3 mission is targeting Lunar flyby.
Who is launching Luna-3?
The Vostok-L 8K72 | Luna-3 is operated by Soviet Space Program. It is part of the Luna program.
Can I watch the Vostok-L 8K72 | Luna-3 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch date set: Oct 4, 1959 at 00:43 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Soviet Space Program
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 5 minutes ago
●Launch Library 25 minutes ago
Launch ID: 3016d082-58d4-436e-aa6a-379865565edf
●Open-Meteo Weather22 hours ago
Pad weather at 45.92, 63.34
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Mission Profile
Luna-3 was a Vostok-L 8K72 mission operated by Soviet Space Program that lifted off from 1/5, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan on October 4, 1959. The flight carried its payload on a lunar exploration mission to Lunar flyby. It was flown as part of the Luna program. The launch was a success.