Globe · Lunar Compendium

Historical record

Luna 16 ascent vehicle

Ascent/return vehicle carried the sealed lunar sample off the surface toward Earth-return trajectory.

Coordinates
-0.5137, 56.3638 (positive-east)
Era
A (1959-1976)
Parent mission
Luna 16
Role
ascent/return vehicle
Operator
Soviet space program
Nation
USSR
Launched (UTC)
1970-09-12
Reached Moon (UTC)
1970-09-21
Event type
sample-return
Outcome
success
Site
Departed Mare Fecunditatis landing site
Left on surface
none left as intact ascent vehicle at site
Returned material
sample container sent to Earth-return capsule
Current status
departed lunar surface; final bus disposition not_found_yet
Operational status (derived)
inactive
Source grade
primary
Review note
review:high

Primary source