Luna 5

Launch data: Designation 01366 / 65036A Launch date 09 May 1965 - 07:49:37 UT Launch site B, LC1 Launch vehicle Molniya 8K78M Satellite type  E-6 (#10) Mission highlight Lunar impact Maximum distance from Earth 400.000 km All-burnt velocity 10,95 km/sec

Failed to achieve soft landing. Retro failed; lunar impact 12 May 1965 at 19h 10m (UT).
Impact: 31°S - 8°W

Mission details:

• Soft-landing attempt, this probe was successfully send on its way by the launcher, after initial placement in the Earth orbit of 291 x 197 km at 65° period 89.3 min. It was then sent on an orbit with a 400000 km apogee to intercept the moon. The craft weighed 1476 kg, of which the probe weighed 501 kg, carrying its 100 kg sphere.
• Following the midcourse correction on May 10, the spacecraft began spinning around its main axis due to a problem in a flotation gyroscope in the I-100 guidance system unit. A subsequent attempt to fire the main engine failed because of ground control error, and the engine never fired.
• At a height of 64 km above the moon, the retro-rocket should have fired but it didn't and after a transit time of 82hr 12min the craft smashed into the moon at 8235 kph in the sea of Clouds at a point 31°S, 8°W on 12th May.
• The German Observatory at Rodeswich claimed to have seen the impact cloud of dust which was 225 by 80 km, which remained visible for about ten minutes.