Luna 12 (E-6LF series) was an uncrewed space mission of the Luna program, also called Lunik 12. Luna 12 was launched towards the Moon onboard a Molniya-M and achieved lunar orbit on October 25, 1966. The spacecraft was equipped with a television system that obtained and transmitted photographs of the lunar surface.

3 days ago · Luna 12 was a lunar orbiting spacecraft built by the Soviet Union. The objectives of the mission included the study of: (1) lunar gamma- and X-ray emissions in order to determine the Moon's chemical composition; (2) lunar gravitational anomalies; (3) the concentration of meteorite streams near the Moon; and, (4) the intensity of hard ...

Feb 6, 2014 · The Luna program was a series of robotic spacecraft sent to the moon by the Soviet Union to study the the Moon's chemical composition, gravity, temperature and radiation. Luna 10 and 12 were the first Luna spacecraft intended to orbit …

Luna 10 was launched on 31 March 1966 and Luna 12 on 22 October 1966. They were the first Luna spacecraft intended to go into orbit around the moon, rather than soft or hard landing there. On 3 April 1966, Luna 10 was put into a selenocentric orbit -- …

The Luna missions were designed to collect information about the Moon and its environment, not only for scientific purposes but also to be used in the planning of future lunar missions including manned missions to the Moon.

Luna 12 is no longer in orbit, its path round the Moon having been shifted to such a degree by Lunar Mascons that the vehicle eventually collided with the lunar surface. A contemporary Soviet drawing illustrates the appearance of Luna 12 and indicates the locations of its major systems.

Oct 22, 2016 · Luna 12, which now had a mass of 1,136 kilograms after burning most of its propellant, had entered a 100 by 1,740 kilometer orbit with an inclination of 15° and an period of three hours and 25 minutes.

Luna 12 was launched towards the Moon from an earth-orbiting platform and achieved a lunar orbit of of 100 km x 1740 km on October 25, 1966. The spacecraft was equipped with a television system that obtained and transmitted photographs of the lunar surface.

Luna 12 reached the Moon on 25 October 1966 and entered a 133 x 1,200-kilometer orbit. The Soviet press released the first photos taken of the surface on 29 October—pictures that showed the Sea of Rains and the Aristarchus crater.

Mar 6, 2025 · Technical details about the LUNA 12 (1966-094A or NORAD 02508) satellite. LUNA 12 can be selected for live tracking or to see the passes visible from your location, if applicable.