Luna 15

USSR

International Sat. n°:

USSR satellite n°:

Launch data:

Designation	04036 / 69058A
Launch date	13 Jul 1969 - 02:54:42 UT
Launch site	B, LC-81/24
Launch vehicle	Proton-K/D (242-01)
Satellite type	E-8-5 N° 401
Mission	Lunar lander
Perihelion / Aphelion	240 x 870 km
Incl. to ecliptic	126.0 °
Period	min

Specifications:

Manufacturer	Lavochkin
Operator
Mass at launch	5600 kg
Dry mass	kg
Dimension
Basic shape
Solar array

Decay:

Out of service:
Cause:
Lunar impact date:	21 Jul 1969
Lifetime:

Description:

Unmanned soil return mission launched coincident with Apollo 11 mission in last ditch attempt to return lunar soil to earth before United States. After completing 86 communications sessions and 52 orbits of the Moon at various inclinations and altitudes, crashed on the moon on 20 July in an attempted landing. Altitude data used in programming inaccurate or guidance system unable to cope with effect of lunar mascons.
Officially: Testing of on-board systems of the automatic station and further scientific investigation of the moon and circumlunar space.

Mission details:

Luna E-8-5 sample return probe no. 401 was launched by Proton-K at 0255 on Jul 13, 1969 from Baikonur and given the code name Luna-15.
Luna-15 reached lunar orbit at 1000 on 1969 Jul 17 but the attempted landing at 1552 UT on 1969 Jul 21 resulted in destruction of the spacecraft on impact at 17 N 60 E.

Ref.: #1, #7(JR204), #8, #14, #81 - update: 05.11.10

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