Vostok-L 8K72 | Luna-4b

Launch Provider & Rocket

• Provider: Soviet Space Program (Government)
• Rocket: Vostok-L 8K72 — Vostok family

Mission

Luna 1960B was the third Soviet attempt to photograph the far side of the Moon, the first being the highly successful Luna 3 mission and the second being the unsuccessful Luna 1960A. Luna 1960B was launched on April 16, 1960. It was designed to replicate the Luna 3 mission, but with higher resolution cameras and a closer approach to the Moon.

• Type: Lunar Exploration
• Orbit: Lunar flyby (Lunar flyby)

Launch Site

• Pad: 1/5
• Location: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan
• View on map

Program

• Luna — The Luna program was a series of robotic spacecraft missions sent to the Moon by the Soviet Union between 1959 and 1976. The program accomplished many firsts in space exploration, including first flyby of the Moon, first impact of the Moon and first photos of the far side of the Moon. Each mission was designed as either an orbiter or lander. They also performed many experiments, studying the Moon's chemical composition, gravity, temperature, and radiation. (Wikipedia)