Luna 12

Launch data: Designation 02508 / 66094A Launch date 22 Oct 1966 - 08:42 UT Launch site B, LC31 Launch vehicle Molniya 8K78M (N103-44) Satellite type  E-6LF n°102 (#) Mission Lunar orbiter Selenocentric orbit (Lunar orbit) on Oct 25.87: Periselene / Aposelene 100 x 1740 km Eccentricity  0.309 Inclination 0.0° Orbital periode 205 min

Entered lunar orbit on October 25,1966 - 20:45 UT
Lunar orbit: 95x1740 km, 205 min, 15°

Specifications: Prime contractor  GSMZ Lavochkin Operator   On-orbit dry mass 1625 kg Dimension  2.7 long? - 1.0 dia? Basic shape  Cone-cylindrique Solar array   Mission duration 89 days. Last contact January 19, 1967 Lifetime Indefinite

A diagram of the Soviet's Luna 11 and 12 spacecraft.

Mission details:

• Luna 12 (E-6LF series) was an unmanned space mission of the Luna program, also called Lunik 12. Luna 12 was launched towards the Moon from an Earth-orbiting platform 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. The photographs contained 1100 scan lines with a maximum resolution of 14.9-19.8 m. Pictures of the lunar surface were returned on October 27, 1966. The number of photographs is not known. Radio transmissions from Luna 12 ceased on January 19, 1967; after 602 lunar orbits and 302 radio transmissions.

• Luna 12 was launched to complete the mission that Luna 11 had failed to accomplish, take high-resolution photos of the Moon's surface from lunar orbit. Luna 12 successfully 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. Resolution was as high as 15 to 20 meters. Film was developed, fixed, dried automatically, and scanned for transmission to Earth. No further photos were ever released. After completing its main imaging mission, Luna 12 was put into a spin-stabilized roll to carry out its scientific mission, which was fulfilled quite successfully. Contact was finally lost on 19 January 1967 after 302 communications sessions.