Luna 10: Lunar Orbit – For All Moonkind Moon Registry

Mission Details

Mission Name: Luna 10

Mission Type: Lunar Orbiter

Operator: Soviet Union (Roscosmos)

Launching State: Soviet Union/Russia

Location: Precise location undetermined or undisclosed.

Latitude: N/A

Longitude: N/A

Launch Date: 31 March 1966, 10:48:00 UT

Landing Date: N/A

Objects on or Related to Site:
Luna 10

Image Source: NASA

Description

The primary objective of Luna 10 was to achieve first lunar orbit, gain experience in orbital operations and study the lunar environment.

Heritage Consideration

First spacecraft to orbit the Moon and first human-made object to ever sucessfully orbit around another celestial body.

Object on or Related to Site

Object Name: Luna 10
Cospar: 1966-027A
Norad: N/A
Location: Precise location unknown or undisclosed.
Launch Date: 31 March 1966, 10:48:00 UT
Landing Date: N/A
Deployment: N/A
End Date: 6 December 1965
Function: Experience lunar orbital operations and study the lunar environment.
Image Source: NASA

Description

The spacecraft entered lunar orbit on April 4, 1966. Scientific instruments included a gamma-ray spectrometer for energies between 0.3–3 MeV, a triaxial magnetometer, a meteorite detector, instruments for solar-plasma studies, and devices for measuring infrared emissions from the Moon and radiation conditions of the lunar environment. Gravitational studies were also conducted. The spacecraft played back to Earth the Internationale during the Twenty-third Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Luna 10 was battery powered and operated for 460 lunar orbits and 219 active data transmissions before radio signals were discontinued on May 30, 1966.