Luna 2 Becomes the First Man-Made Object to Impact on the Moon
At a glance:
- Series: Great Events from History II: Science and Technology Series
- Categories: Science, Aviation, Space Exploration
- Subcategories: Scientists, Astronomy, Astronomers, Cosmology
- Curriculum: 20th & 21st Century European History, Russian/Former Soviet States History
- Geographical Location: Soviet Union, Kazakhstan, Central Asia
- Date: September 13, 1959
Article abstract: The Soviet space probe Luna 2 became the first man-made object to make contact with the surface of another celestial body.
Summary of Event
Less than two years separated the launching of the first artificial satellite and the first human contact with the Moon. The principal obstacle to be overcome in reaching the Moon, in comparison to reaching Earth orbit, was reaching Earth’s escape velocity, 11 kilometers per second, as opposed to 8 kilometers per second required to send a satellite into orbit around the earth. The first attempt to...
[The entire page is 1901 words long]
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