Luna 3 over the Moon. Computer illustration of the Soviet Luna 3 (Lunik 3) spacecraft in orbit around the Moon. This Soviet unmanned spacecraft was la
Luna 3 over the Moon. Computer illustration of the Soviet Luna 3 (Lunik 3) spacecraft in orbit around the Moon. This Soviet unmanned spacecraft was launched on 4th October 1959. It was the first spacecraft to return pictures of the previously unseen far side of the Moon. It obtained 29 pictures as it passed by the Moon on 7th October 1959. Eleven days later, on 18th October 1959, as its orbit brought it back towards Earth, it successfully transmitted around 17 of its pictures. Contact with the spacecraft was lost on 22nd October 1959.
Size: 5906px × 4134px
Photo credit: © DETLEV VAN RAVENSWAAY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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