the Earth. This has been observed by telescopes since the middle of the XVII century.
IV. Space Age
The first spacecraft that reached the Moon were the Luna 1, 2 and 3 of the former Soviet Union, in 1959. Of these, the Luna 3 orbited the Moon, took photographs of the dark side, which is not visible from Earth, and then scanned and transmitted those images. In the decade that followed, 19 other missions had as its goal the Moon. In 1970 a Soviet lunar vehicle landed and was able to return with a sample of rock. Later that same year another vehicle, the "Lunokhod”, landed and explored the Moon through remote control, for almost a year. It was able to return to Earth with samples and it was followed by other Lunokhods; the series ended in 1976.
The first attempts by the U.S. to send an unmanned spacecraft to the Moon (1958-64) failed or sent scarce data. However, in July 1964, the Ranger 7 sent clear TV images of their impact on the Moon, as did also the Rangers 8 and 9. Of the 7 landings of the series "Surveyor" (1966-8), 5 were successful in sending data and photos. In November 1969, after the Apollo 12 landed at about 500 from the "Surveyor 3", astronauts retrieved its camera and brought it back to Earth. …show more content…
The main objective of the mission was the comprehensive study of the Moon, its origin and evolution, the distribution of elements and minerals on the surface and underground, the gravitational field, the residual magnetic field and energetic particles and plasma that surround the Moon. Intended, in addition, was to find data that allow finding future uses of the Moon. There are also the Selene 2 and 3 and then future plans for manned missions after
IV. Space Age
The first spacecraft that reached the Moon were the Luna 1, 2 and 3 of the former Soviet Union, in 1959. Of these, the Luna 3 orbited the Moon, took photographs of the dark side, which is not visible from Earth, and then scanned and transmitted those images. In the decade that followed, 19 other missions had as its goal the Moon. In 1970 a Soviet lunar vehicle landed and was able to return with a sample of rock. Later that same year another vehicle, the "Lunokhod”, landed and explored the Moon through remote control, for almost a year. It was able to return to Earth with samples and it was followed by other Lunokhods; the series ended in 1976.
The first attempts by the U.S. to send an unmanned spacecraft to the Moon (1958-64) failed or sent scarce data. However, in July 1964, the Ranger 7 sent clear TV images of their impact on the Moon, as did also the Rangers 8 and 9. Of the 7 landings of the series "Surveyor" (1966-8), 5 were successful in sending data and photos. In November 1969, after the Apollo 12 landed at about 500 from the "Surveyor 3", astronauts retrieved its camera and brought it back to Earth. …show more content…
The main objective of the mission was the comprehensive study of the Moon, its origin and evolution, the distribution of elements and minerals on the surface and underground, the gravitational field, the residual magnetic field and energetic particles and plasma that surround the Moon. Intended, in addition, was to find data that allow finding future uses of the Moon. There are also the Selene 2 and 3 and then future plans for manned missions after