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Luna 3
Lunar probe, first-ever mission to photograph the far side of the Moon. Luna 3 was launched on October 4, 1959 aboard a Vostok-L 8K72 from Baikonur. Latest status in GCAT: left Earth orbit for deep space (Oct 4, 1959).
COSPAR 1959 THE 1NORAD 21Soviet Union
Identity
- Name in GCAT
- AMS Luna-3
- Common name
- Luna 3
- Payload designation
- E-2A
- International designator
- 1959 THE 1
- NORAD catalog number
- 21
- GCAT identifier
- S00021
- UN registration
- A/AC.105/INF.002
Mission
- Mission type
- Deep space
- Use
- Civil government
- Program
- Luna
- Owner
- OKB-1
- Country
- Soviet Union
- Builder
- OKB-1 im. S.P. Korolev
- Platform (bus)
- E-2A
Launch
- Date
- October 4, 1959 · 00:43 UTC
- Launch record
- 1959 THESuccess
- Rocket
- Vostok-L 8K72
- Spaceport
- Baikonur · pad LC1
Orbit and fate
- Orbit class (GCAT)
- CLO
- Perigee
- -630 km
- Apogee
- 516,120 km
- Inclination
- 65.00°
- Status
- Left Earth orbit for deep space
- Status date
- October 4, 1959
- Last known active
- Nov 15, 1959
- End of operations
- Nov 15, 1959
Size
- Mass
- 278 kg
- Dry mass
- 278 kg
- Length
- 1.3 m
- Diameter
- 1.20 m
- Span
- 1.5 m
Deep space
- Deep-space catalog entry
- D00009
- Final central body
- Luna
- Phase start
- October 6, 1959
- Phase outcome
- Flyby · October 7, 1959
- Destination
- Earth
Flight phases
| From | Central body | Ended | Outcome | Next |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 4, 1959 | Earth | Oct 6, 1959 | Escaped to another body | Luna |
| Oct 7, 1959 | Earth | Jan 24, 1960 | Escaped to another body | Luna |
| Jan 24, 1960 | Luna | Jan 25, 1960 | Flyby | Earth |
| Jan 25, 1960 | Earth | Apr 29, 1960 | Reentered (orbital decay) | — |
Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q942814 (CC0).