Globe · Lunar Compendium

Historical record

Luna 2 impactor spacecraft

First human-made object to impact the lunar surface.

Coordinates
29.1, 0 (positive-east)
Era
A (1959-1976)
Parent mission
Luna 2
Role
impactor spacecraft
Operator
Soviet space program
Nation
USSR
Launched (UTC)
1959-09-12
Reached Moon (UTC)
1959-09-13 22:02:04
Event type
impactor
Outcome
success
Site
Palus Putredinis
Left on surface
impact debris/pennants on surface
Returned material
none
Current status
crashed/on lunar surface
Operational status (derived)
inactive
Source grade
primary

Primary source