Luna 20

USSR

International Sat. n°:

USSR satellite n°:

Launch data:

Designation 72007A
Launch date 14 Feb 1972
Launch site B, LC-81/24
Launch vehicle Proton-K/Blok-D
Satellite type E-8-5
Mission Lunar Orbiter
Selencentric orbit:
Perihelion / Aphelion  100 x 100 km
Incl. to ecliptic 65.0 °
Period   min

Specifications:

Prime contractor  
Operator  
Mass at launch 5600 kg
Dry mass kg
Dimension  
Basic shape  
Solar array  
Soft landing21 Febr 1972

Decay:

Lunar landing date:  21 Febr 1972
Launch ascent stage: 22 Feb 1972
Recovery: 25 Feb 1972
Lifetime days

Mission details:

Soft landed on Moon; returned soil samples to Earth. Landed on Moon 21 February 1972 at 19:19:00 GMT, Latitude 3.57 N, Longitude 56.50 E - Mare Fecunditatis. Luna 20 was placed in an intermediate earth parking orbit and from this orbit was sent towards the Moon. It entered lunar orbit on February 18, 1972. On 21 February 1972, Luna 20 soft landed on the Moon in a mountainous area known as the Apollonius highlands, 120 km from where Luna 16 had crashed. While on the lunar surface, the panoramic television system was operated. Lunar samples were obtained by means of an extendable drilling apparatus. The ascent stage of Luna 20 was launched from the lunar surface on 22 February 1972 carrying 30 grams of collected lunar samples in a sealed capsule. It landed in the Soviet Union on 25 February 1972. The lunar samples were recovered the following day.
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