Luna 2

Luna 2 (or Lunik 2 or Object 00114 ) was the first space engine to come into contact with the the Moon and the first to reach another celestial body.

Luna 2, second probe of the Soviet program launched successfully in direction of the Moon, is very resembling the probe Luna 1. Just like the latter, Luna 2 is of form spherical with antennas located on a hemisphere and scientific instruments visible at the surface of this sphere. Moreover, it does not have either clean system of propulsion. However, it differs from Luna 1, while carrying, in addition to the scientific instruments transported by this one, a trap with ions conceived by Konstantin Gringauz on the hemisphere opposed to its antennas.

Its launching took place on September 12th, 1959 since Baïkonour. Following the example Luna 1, it released on September 13rd an orange gas sodium cloud facilitating the follow-up of its trajectory and making it possible once again to study the gas reaction of in space. This same day, after 33 hours and 30 minutes of flight, the probe Luna 2 ceased emitting radio operator signals at the time of his impact on the Moon. Its point of impact was localized in the lunar area of Palus Putredinis approximativament with a longitude of 0° and a northern latitude of 29,1°. Thirty minutes later, the third stage of its rocket was crushed on the Moon. Being given the estimated speed of the impact (3,3 km/s, is more than 10.000 km/h), the probe Luna 2 as well as the third stage of its rocket probably vaporized following the crash landing.

From the scientific point of view, Luna 2 will remain in the history like the first probe to have proven the presence of the solar wind in space thanks to its trap with ions. It also confirmed the absence of magnetic field (detectable) of the Moon and revealed the absence of belt of radiations around the Moon.

Characteristics mission

Internal bonds

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