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SOVIET LUNAR PROGRAMS

The Soviets had several different programs to explore the Moon:    

Luna A variety of automated orbiters, landers, and soil sample return capsules, 1959-1976
L-1/Zond Automated circumlunar missions, trial runs for a manned "loop-around-the Moon" flight, 1965-1970
Soyuz and Kosmos Human and automated missions in Earth orbit to test lunar spacecraft and maneuvers, 1966-1969
Lunokhod Automated lunar rovers, 1970-1973
L3 A never-executed "Man-on-the-Moon" landing, originally scheduled for late 1968

Only 20 of about 60 Soviet launches of all types of lunar probes from 1959 through 1976 were successful.

Courtesy of RSC Energia

Luna 2
Luna 2
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ZOND: TRIAL RUNS TO THE MOON

L-1 spacecraftKorolëv's design bureau began work in 1965 on a manned spacecraft (called L-1) intended to carry two cosmonauts on a single loop around the Moon. Because of repeated equipment failures, the L-1 never flew with a crew. However, unmanned L-1 spacecraft flew to the Moon five times under the name Zond ("Probe") from 1968 through 1970 to test the spacecraft and maneuvers necessary for a manned lunar mission. In September 1968, Zond 5 became the first spacecraft to loop around the Moon and return to Earth.

Courtesy of RSC Energia


LUNOKHOD: ROBOTIC EXPLORERS ON THE MOON

Two Luna missions in 1970 and 1973 included a robotic rover, Lunokhod, that roamed around the landing site. Lunokhods were equipped to take photographs and to analyze rock and soil samples--the same kinds of tasks performed by astronauts on the Moon. Although these Soviet robotic explorers were successful, they were overshadowed by the American manned explorations.

Courtesy of RSC Energia

Lunokhod Lunokhod
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Pointer From 1961 through 1968, the U.S. Ranger, Surveyor, and Lunar Orbiter spacecraft also explored the Moon. See the exhibits with the Apollo lunar module nearby, where the lunar landing is depicted.


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