Luna 16 return capsule/sample

First robotic sample return from beyond Earth.

Era

A (1959-1976)

Parent mission

Luna 16

Role

return capsule/sample container

Operator

Soviet space program

Nation

USSR

Launched (UTC)

1970-09-12

Reached Moon (UTC)

1970-09-24

Event type

sample-return

Outcome

success

Site

Earth return/landing

Left on surface

none on Moon

Returned material

~101 g lunar soil returned to Earth

Current status

returned to Earth/curated

Operational status (derived)

unknown

Source grade

primary

Review note

review:medium

Primary source