ROSCOSMOS logo.
22.08.2014
38 years ago, August 22, 1976 the Soviet apparatus "Luna-24" will return to Earth 170 grams of lunar soil. It was then for the first time, data were obtained which suggest that there is water on the Moon.
"Luna-24"
Automatic station "Luna-24" was launched from Baikonur on August 9, 1976 by a four-carrier rocket "Proton-K". The unit arrived at the moon on August 13, and for five days before the descent to the surface in orbit. August 18 was included engine of the platform, and after 6 minutes station "Luna-24" landed at a given point on the surface of the moon - in the southeastern region of the Sea of Crises.
"Luna-24" and "Moon" lander launch return rocket "Luna-24" samples capsule to the Earth
Spacecraft "Moon", intended to return lunar soil samples consisted of three main parts: the landing stage, the take-off stage and returned to Earth capsule. Whole bundle landed on the surface, and soil samples were taken and placed in the returned capsule. Then take-off stage started and brought a capsule to Earth.
"Luna-24" with samples of lunar soil landed on Earth
Return rocket "Luna-24" with samples of lunar soil to Earth launched on 19 August. Duration of return flight was 84 hours. August 22 lander landed 200 km south-east of Surgut. The mission of "Luna-24", from a technical point of view, an outstanding and unprecedented, was fully implemented - the Earth brought a sample of lunar soil as a result of the analysis which was first obtained conclusive evidence of water on the Moon.
ROSCOSMOS Press Release: http://www.federalspace.ru/20866/
Images, Text, Credits: Roscosmos press service / Roscosmos / Translation: Orbiter.ch Aerospace.
Greetings, Orbiter.ch
