Luna 23 lander/sample-return craft

Soft-landed but sample collection/return system was damaged; no sample returned.

Coordinates

12.6667, 62.1511 (positive-east)

Era

A (1959-1976)

Parent mission

Luna 23

Role

sample-return lander

Operator

Soviet space program

Nation

USSR

Launched (UTC)

1974-10-28

Reached Moon (UTC)

1974-11-06

Event type

lander/sample-return

Outcome

partial

Site

Mare Crisium

Left on surface

lander/sample-return hardware on surface

Returned material

none

Current status

on lunar surface

Operational status (derived)

inactive

Source grade

primary

Primary source