[ { "slug": "luna-9", "name": "Luna 9", "org": "USSR", "agency_full": "Soviet Space Program", "agency_id": "soviet", "country": "Soviet Union", "spacecraft": "Luna 9", "lat": 7.08, "lon": -64.37, "site_name": "Oceanus Procellarum", "site_id": "oceanus-procellarum-luna-9", "year": 1966, "launch_date": "January 31, 1966", "landing_date": "February 3, 1966", "end_date": "February 6, 1966", "color": "#ff4444", "type": "Robotic", "status": "LANDED", "duration": "3 days (surface ops)", "achievement": "First soft landing on any celestial body", "description": "Luna 9 was the first spacecraft to achieve a survivable soft landing on another celestial body and to transmit photographic data from the surface. It operated for 3 days and transmitted a series of panoramic images of the surrounding terrain.", "objectives": [ "Demonstrate soft landing technique on the Moon", "Transmit surface panoramic photographs", "Measure radiation environment at the surface", "Confirm bearing strength of the lunar surface" ], "keywords": [ "Luna 9", "first lunar soft landing", "Soviet Moon mission", "1966 Moon landing" ], "launch_vehicle": "Molniya-M", "launch_site": "Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 31", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/Luna_9_scale_model.jpg", "images": [ "images/luna_9a.jpg", "images/luna_9b.jpg", "images/luna_9c.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "NASA/NSSDC \u2014 Luna 9 lander spacecraft model. First soft landing on the Moon, February 3, 1966, Oceanus Procellarum. (Public domain)", "Wikimedia Commons \u2014 Luna 9 panoramic photograph of the lunar surface as transmitted to Earth, February 1966. (Public domain / Soviet Space Program)", "Wikimedia Commons \u2014 Luna 9 mission diagram showing the landing sequence of the egress capsule. (Public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-luna-9", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-006A" }, { "id": "wiki-luna-9", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_9" } ], "related_missions": [ "surveyor-1", "luna-13" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1966-01-31", "event": "Launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome" }, { "date": "1966-02-03", "event": "Soft landing in Oceanus Procellarum \u2014 first ever" }, { "date": "1966-02-03", "event": "First panoramic surface photographs transmitted" }, { "date": "1966-02-06", "event": "Contact lost after battery exhaustion" } ] }, { "slug": "surveyor-1", "name": "Surveyor 1", "org": "NASA", "agency_full": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration", "agency_id": "nasa", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Surveyor 1", "lat": -2.49, "lon": -43.32, "site_name": "Oceanus Procellarum (Flamsteed crater region)", "site_id": "oceanus-procellarum-surveyor-1", "year": 1966, "launch_date": "May 30, 1966", "landing_date": "June 2, 1966", "end_date": "January 7, 1967", "color": "#00ff88", "type": "Robotic", "status": "LANDED", "duration": "6 months (surface ops)", "achievement": "First US soft landing on the Moon", "description": "Surveyor 1 was the first lunar soft-lander in the Surveyor program and the first American spacecraft to perform a soft landing on the Moon. It transmitted over 11,000 high-resolution photographs and proved the surface could support future crewed landers.", "objectives": [ "Demonstrate US soft-landing capability on the Moon", "Transmit high-resolution surface photographs", "Measure bearing strength and physical properties of lunar surface", "Support Apollo landing site selection" ], "keywords": [ "Surveyor 1", "first US Moon landing", "lunar soft landing 1966", "Apollo precursor" ], "launch_vehicle": "Atlas Centaur", "launch_site": "Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, LC-36A", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Surveyor_1_model.jpg", "images": [ "images/surveyor_1a.jpg", "images/surveyor_1b.jpg", "images/surveyor_1c.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "NASA \u2014 Surveyor 1 spacecraft image showing the lander in Oceanus Procellarum, June 1966. First US soft landing on the Moon. (NASA, public domain)", "NASA \u2014 Surveyor 1 surface photograph transmitted from Oceanus Procellarum, June 1966. (NASA, public domain)", "NASA \u2014 Surveyor 1 spacecraft model. (NASA, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-surveyor-1", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-045A" }, { "id": "wiki-surveyor-1", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surveyor_1" } ], "related_missions": [ "luna-9", "apollo-12" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1966-05-30", "event": "Launch from Cape Canaveral" }, { "date": "1966-06-02", "event": "Soft landing in Oceanus Procellarum \u2014 first US Moon landing" }, { "date": "1966-06-02", "event": "Began transmitting surface photographs (11,237 total)" }, { "date": "1967-01-07", "event": "Last contact" } ] }, { "slug": "luna-13", "name": "Luna 13", "org": "USSR", "agency_full": "Soviet Space Program", "agency_id": "soviet", "country": "Soviet Union", "spacecraft": "Luna 13", "lat": 18.87, "lon": -62.05, "site_name": "Oceanus Procellarum", "site_id": "oceanus-procellarum-luna-13", "year": 1966, "launch_date": "December 21, 1966", "landing_date": "December 24, 1966", "end_date": "December 28, 1966", "color": "#ff4444", "type": "Robotic", "status": "LANDED", "duration": "5 days (surface ops)", "achievement": "First mechanical soil analysis on the Moon", "description": "Luna 13 successfully soft-landed on the Moon and conducted soil mechanical property tests using a penetrometer and radiation densitometer. It returned panoramic images and data confirming the bearing strength of the lunar surface.", "objectives": [ "Perform mechanical penetrometer test of lunar soil", "Measure radiation density of lunar regolith", "Transmit panoramic surface photographs" ], "keywords": [ "Luna 13", "Soviet Moon mission 1966", "lunar soil mechanics", "penetrometer" ], "launch_vehicle": "Molniya-M", "launch_site": "Baikonur Cosmodrome", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Luna_13_model.jpg", "images": [ "images/luna_13a.jpg", "images/luna_13b.jpg", "images/luna_13c.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "Wikimedia Commons \u2014 Luna 13 spacecraft model. Landed December 24, 1966, Oceanus Procellarum. (Public domain / Soviet Space Program)", "Wikimedia Commons \u2014 Luna 13 panoramic surface photograph from Oceanus Procellarum, December 1966. (Public domain)", "NASA/NSSDC \u2014 Luna 13 mission technical data and surface operations. (Public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-luna-13", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-116A" }, { "id": "wiki-luna-13", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_13" } ], "related_missions": [ "luna-9", "surveyor-1" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1966-12-21", "event": "Launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome" }, { "date": "1966-12-24", "event": "Soft landing in Oceanus Procellarum" }, { "date": "1966-12-24", "event": "Penetrometer and densitometer deployed" }, { "date": "1966-12-28", "event": "Mission ended" } ] }, { "slug": "apollo-11", "name": "Apollo 11", "org": "NASA", "agency_full": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration", "agency_id": "nasa", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Apollo LM Eagle", "lat": 0.674, "lon": 23.473, "site_name": "Tranquility Base, Mare Tranquillitatis", "site_id": "tranquility-base", "year": 1969, "launch_date": "July 16, 1969", "landing_date": "July 20, 1969", "end_date": "July 24, 1969", "color": "#00ff88", "type": "Human", "status": "LANDED", "duration": "8 days, 3 hours", "achievement": "First humans to walk on the Moon", "description": "The first crewed lunar landing mission. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed at Tranquility Base on July 20, 1969, while Michael Collins orbited above. Armstrong became the first human to step onto the Moon's surface, speaking the iconic words: 'One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.'", "objectives": [ "Perform first crewed lunar landing", "Collect surface samples (lunar regolith and rocks)", "Deploy Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP)", "Conduct EVA and return crew safely to Earth" ], "keywords": [ "Apollo 11", "first moon landing", "Neil Armstrong", "Tranquility Base", "1969 Moon landing", "lunar landing" ], "launch_vehicle": "Saturn V", "launch_site": "Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Apollo_11_bootprint.jpg", "images": [ "images/apollo_11a.jpg", "images/apollo_11b.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "NASA \u2014 AS11-40-5931, Buzz Aldrin bootprint in the lunar regolith, Tranquility Base, July 20, 1969. (NASA, public domain)", "NASA \u2014 Buzz Aldrin standing beside the US flag at Tranquility Base, photographed by Neil Armstrong, July 20, 1969. (NASA, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nasa-apollo-11", "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/mission/apollo-11/" }, { "id": "nssdc-apollo-11", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1969-059C" } ], "related_missions": [ "apollo-12", "apollo-13" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1969-07-16", "event": "Launch from Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A" }, { "date": "1969-07-19", "event": "Entered lunar orbit" }, { "date": "1969-07-20T20:17Z", "event": "Eagle lands at Tranquility Base" }, { "date": "1969-07-21T02:56Z", "event": "Neil Armstrong becomes first human to walk on the Moon" }, { "date": "1969-07-21T17:54Z", "event": "Eagle ascent stage lifts off from the Moon" }, { "date": "1969-07-24", "event": "Crew splashdown, Pacific Ocean" } ] }, { "slug": "apollo-12", "name": "Apollo 12", "org": "NASA", "agency_full": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration", "agency_id": "nasa", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Apollo LM Intrepid", "lat": -3.013, "lon": -23.422, "site_name": "Oceanus Procellarum (near Surveyor 3)", "site_id": "oceanus-procellarum-apollo-12", "year": 1969, "launch_date": "November 14, 1969", "landing_date": "November 19, 1969", "end_date": "November 24, 1969", "color": "#00ff88", "type": "Human", "status": "LANDED", "duration": "10 days, 4 hours", "achievement": "First precision lunar landing", "description": "Apollo 12 was the second crewed mission to land on the Moon. The crew achieved a pinpoint landing within 183 metres of the Surveyor 3 probe. Pete Conrad and Alan Bean explored Oceanus Procellarum, retrieving parts from Surveyor 3 for analysis.", "objectives": [ "Demonstrate precision lunar landing capability", "Retrieve parts from Surveyor 3 for terrestrial analysis", "Deploy ALSEP scientific instruments", "Collect 34.35 kg of lunar samples" ], "keywords": [ "Apollo 12", "second Moon landing", "precision landing", "Surveyor 3", "Oceanus Procellarum" ], "launch_vehicle": "Saturn V", "launch_site": "Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Apollo_12_Conrad_and_Flag.jpg", "images": [ "images/apollo_12a.jpg", "images/apollo_12b.jpg", "images/apollo_12c.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "NASA \u2014 Alan Bean descends the lunar module ladder, Apollo 12, November 19, 1969. (NASA, public domain)", "NASA \u2014 Pete Conrad on the lunar surface near Surveyor 3, Apollo 12, November 1969. (NASA, public domain)", "NASA \u2014 Apollo 12 crew reviewing mission photographs aboard USS Hornet. (NASA, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nasa-apollo-12", "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/mission/apollo-12/" }, { "id": "nssdc-apollo-12", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1969-099C" } ], "related_missions": [ "apollo-11", "apollo-14", "surveyor-1" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1969-11-14", "event": "Launch from Kennedy Space Center \u2014 struck by lightning twice" }, { "date": "1969-11-19", "event": "Intrepid lands within 183m of Surveyor 3" }, { "date": "1969-11-19", "event": "First EVA \u2014 deployed ALSEP instruments" }, { "date": "1969-11-20", "event": "Second EVA \u2014 retrieved Surveyor 3 parts" }, { "date": "1969-11-24", "event": "Crew splashdown, Pacific Ocean" } ] }, { "slug": "apollo-13", "name": "Apollo 13", "org": "NASA", "agency_full": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration", "agency_id": "nasa", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Apollo LM Aquarius (lifeboat only \u2014 never landed)", "target_lat": -3.67, "target_lon": -17.47, "site_name": "Fra Mauro (INTENDED \u2014 never reached)", "site_id": "fra-mauro", "year": 1970, "launch_date": "April 11, 1970", "landing_date": null, "end_date": "April 17, 1970", "color": "#ffaa00", "type": "Human", "status": "ABORTED", "duration": "~5 days total mission (aborted lunar landing)", "achievement": "Successful failure \u2014 crew rescued after oxygen tank explosion", "description": "Apollo 13 was planned to be the third crewed lunar landing, targeting Fra Mauro. An oxygen tank explosion on April 13 forced the crew to abort the landing. Using the Lunar Module as a lifeboat, astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise successfully returned to Earth. Apollo 13 never landed on the Moon.", "objectives": [ "Perform third crewed lunar landing at Fra Mauro", "Collect highland samples from Fra Mauro formation", "Deploy ALSEP instruments (planned \u2014 not executed)" ], "keywords": [ "Apollo 13", "aborted Moon mission", "oxygen tank explosion", "Fra Mauro", "successful failure", "Jim Lovell" ], "launch_vehicle": "Saturn V", "launch_site": "Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/AS13-62-8929.jpg/1280px-AS13-62-8929.jpg", "images": [ "images/apollo_13a.jpg", "images/apollo_13b.jpg", "images/apollo_13c.jpg", "images/apollo_13d.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "NASA \u2014 Apollo 13 damaged Service Module (SM) photographed after separation, showing oxygen tank explosion damage, April 17, 1970. The explosion forced mission ABORT; no lunar landing was made. (NASA, public domain)", "NASA \u2014 Apollo 13 prime crew: Commander James Lovell (left), CMP Jack Swigert, LMP Fred Haise. All survived; no Moon landing occurred. (NASA, public domain)", "NASA S70-34767 \u2014 Apollo 13 crew the day before launch, April 10, 1970. Mission was aborted after oxygen tank exploded April 13; crew returned safely April 17. (NASA, public domain)", "NASA \u2014 Mission Operations Control Room during the Apollo 13 TV broadcast, moments before the accident. Flight controllers worked to bring the crew home. (NASA, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nasa-apollo-13", "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/mission/apollo-13/" }, { "id": "nssdc-apollo-13", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1970-029A" }, { "id": "nasa-apollo-13-press-kit", "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/specials/apollo13/" } ], "related_missions": [ "apollo-12", "apollo-14" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1970-04-11", "event": "Launch from Kennedy Space Center" }, { "date": "1970-04-13T03:07Z", "event": "Oxygen tank #2 explodes in Service Module" }, { "date": "1970-04-13", "event": "Lunar landing ABORTED \u2014 LM Aquarius becomes lifeboat" }, { "date": "1970-04-14", "event": "Crew performs free-return trajectory manoeuvre" }, { "date": "1970-04-17", "event": "Crew splashdown, Pacific Ocean \u2014 all three survived" } ] }, { "slug": "apollo-14", "name": "Apollo 14", "org": "NASA", "agency_full": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration", "agency_id": "nasa", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Apollo LM Antares", "lat": -3.645, "lon": -17.471, "site_name": "Fra Mauro Highlands", "site_id": "fra-mauro", "year": 1971, "launch_date": "January 31, 1971", "landing_date": "February 5, 1971", "end_date": "February 9, 1971", "color": "#00ff88", "type": "Human", "status": "LANDED", "duration": "9 days, 2 minutes", "achievement": "Longest EVA distance on foot to that point", "description": "Apollo 14 successfully landed at Fra Mauro, the site originally planned for Apollo 13. Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell explored the highlands, collecting 42.28 kg of samples. Shepard famously hit two golf balls on the lunar surface.", "objectives": [ "Land at Fra Mauro highlands (originally planned for Apollo 13)", "Collect highland samples from the Fra Mauro formation", "Deploy ALSEP scientific instruments", "Conduct two EVAs including trek toward Cone Crater" ], "keywords": [ "Apollo 14", "Fra Mauro", "Alan Shepard", "Moon golf", "Fra Mauro highlands", "1971 Moon landing" ], "launch_vehicle": "Saturn V", "launch_site": "Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/29/Apollo_14_Shepard.jpg", "images": [ "images/apollo_14a.jpg", "images/apollo_14b.jpg", "images/apollo_14c.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "NASA \u2014 Alan Shepard at the Fra Mauro landing site during Apollo 14, February 1971. (NASA, public domain)", "NASA \u2014 Apollo 14 astronauts on the lunar surface near the Modular Equipment Transporter (MET), Fra Mauro, February 5\u20136, 1971. (NASA, public domain)", "NASA \u2014 Apollo 14 mission photograph of the Fra Mauro highlands terrain, February 1971. (NASA, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nasa-apollo-14", "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/mission/apollo-14/" }, { "id": "nssdc-apollo-14", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1971-008C" } ], "related_missions": [ "apollo-13", "apollo-15" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1971-01-31", "event": "Launch from Kennedy Space Center" }, { "date": "1971-02-05", "event": "Antares lands at Fra Mauro" }, { "date": "1971-02-05", "event": "First EVA \u2014 ALSEP deployment" }, { "date": "1971-02-06", "event": "Second EVA \u2014 trek toward Cone Crater (42.28 kg samples)" }, { "date": "1971-02-09", "event": "Crew splashdown, Pacific Ocean" } ] }, { "slug": "apollo-15", "name": "Apollo 15", "org": "NASA", "agency_full": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration", "agency_id": "nasa", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Apollo LM Falcon", "lat": 26.132, "lon": 3.634, "site_name": "Hadley\u2013Apennine", "site_id": "hadley-apennine", "year": 1971, "launch_date": "July 26, 1971", "landing_date": "July 30, 1971", "end_date": "August 7, 1971", "color": "#00ff88", "type": "Human", "status": "LANDED", "duration": "12 days, 7 hours", "achievement": "First use of the Lunar Roving Vehicle", "description": "Apollo 15 was the first of the extended J missions. David Scott and James Irwin used the Lunar Roving Vehicle to explore the Hadley\u2013Apennine region, travelling 27.9 km and returning 77 kg of samples including the 'Genesis Rock'.", "objectives": [ "Deploy and operate Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) for first time", "Explore Hadley Rille and Apennine mountain front", "Collect 77 kg of samples including 'Genesis Rock' (4.5 billion years old)", "Deploy ALSEP with six scientific instruments", "Deploy Lunar Surface Experiments Package subsatellite" ], "keywords": [ "Apollo 15", "Lunar Roving Vehicle", "Hadley Rille", "Apennine", "Genesis Rock", "1971 Moon mission" ], "launch_vehicle": "Saturn V", "launch_site": "Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Apollo_15_flag%2C_rover%2C_LM%2C_Irwin.jpg", "images": [ "images/apollo_15a.jpg", "images/apollo_15b.jpg", "images/apollo_15c.jpg", "images/apollo_15d.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "NASA AS15-88-11866 \u2014 James Irwin, Lunar Rover, LM Falcon, Flag and Hadley Delta, Apollo 15, July 1971. (NASA, public domain)", "NASA \u2014 James Irwin working near the Lunar Roving Vehicle at Hadley-Apennine, Apollo 15, July 30\u2013August 2, 1971. (NASA, public domain)", "NASA \u2014 Lunar Roving Vehicle parked overlooking Hadley Rille, Apollo 15, August 1971. (NASA, public domain)", "NASA AS15-85-11471 \u2014 Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP), deployed at Hadley-Apennine, August 1971. (NASA, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nasa-apollo-15", "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/mission/apollo-15/" }, { "id": "nssdc-apollo-15", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1971-063C" } ], "related_missions": [ "apollo-14", "apollo-16" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1971-07-26", "event": "Launch from Kennedy Space Center" }, { "date": "1971-07-30", "event": "Falcon lands at Hadley\u2013Apennine" }, { "date": "1971-07-31", "event": "First EVA \u2014 Hadley Rille exploration with LRV" }, { "date": "1971-08-01", "event": "Second EVA \u2014 Apennine Front and 'Genesis Rock' discovered" }, { "date": "1971-08-02", "event": "Third EVA \u2014 ALSEP and final sampling" }, { "date": "1971-08-07", "event": "Crew splashdown, Pacific Ocean" } ] }, { "slug": "apollo-16", "name": "Apollo 16", "org": "NASA", "agency_full": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration", "agency_id": "nasa", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Apollo LM Orion", "lat": -8.973, "lon": 15.5, "site_name": "Descartes Highlands", "site_id": "descartes-highlands", "year": 1972, "launch_date": "April 16, 1972", "landing_date": "April 21, 1972", "end_date": "April 27, 1972", "color": "#00ff88", "type": "Human", "status": "LANDED", "duration": "11 days, 1 hour", "achievement": "First highlands landing and exploration", "description": "Apollo 16 was the first mission to land in the lunar highlands. John Young and Charles Duke explored the Descartes region, collected 95.8 kg of samples, and operated the LRV for 26.7 km of travel.", "objectives": [ "First landing in the lunar highlands (Descartes region)", "Collect 95.8 kg of highland rock and soil samples", "Deploy ALSEP with cosmic ray and other instruments", "Operate LRV over 26.7 km of terrain", "Test Lunar Ultraviolet Camera/Spectrograph" ], "keywords": [ "Apollo 16", "Descartes highlands", "John Young", "Charles Duke", "lunar highlands", "1972 Moon landing" ], "launch_vehicle": "Saturn V", "launch_site": "Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/AS16-113-18339.jpg", "images": [ "images/apollo_16a.jpg", "images/apollo_16b.jpg", "images/apollo_16c.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "NASA \u2014 John Young collects samples near House Rock, Descartes Highlands, April 1972. (NASA, public domain)", "NASA AS16-113-18339 \u2014 Charles Duke beside large lunar boulder, Descartes Highlands, Apollo 16, April 1972. (NASA, public domain)", "NASA \u2014 Apollo 16 Lunar Roving Vehicle and the Orion lunar module at the Descartes landing site, April 1972. (NASA, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nasa-apollo-16", "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/mission/apollo-16/" }, { "id": "nssdc-apollo-16", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1972-031C" } ], "related_missions": [ "apollo-15", "apollo-17" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1972-04-16", "event": "Launch from Kennedy Space Center" }, { "date": "1972-04-21", "event": "Orion lands at Descartes Highlands" }, { "date": "1972-04-21", "event": "First EVA \u2014 ALSEP deployment and sampling" }, { "date": "1972-04-22", "event": "Second EVA \u2014 Stone Mountain traverse" }, { "date": "1972-04-23", "event": "Third EVA \u2014 North Ray Crater traverse" }, { "date": "1972-04-27", "event": "Crew splashdown, Pacific Ocean" } ] }, { "slug": "apollo-17", "name": "Apollo 17", "org": "NASA", "agency_full": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration", "agency_id": "nasa", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Apollo LM Challenger", "lat": 20.191, "lon": 30.772, "site_name": "Taurus\u2013Littrow Valley", "site_id": "taurus-littrow", "year": 1972, "launch_date": "December 7, 1972", "landing_date": "December 11, 1972", "end_date": "December 19, 1972", "color": "#00ff88", "type": "Human", "status": "LANDED", "duration": "12 days, 13 hours", "achievement": "Longest crewed lunar mission & most samples returned", "description": "Apollo 17 was the final crewed lunar landing mission. Geologist Harrison Schmitt and Commander Eugene Cernan explored the Taurus\u2013Littrow valley, returning 110.5 kg of samples \u2014 the most of any Apollo mission. Cernan was the last human to walk on the Moon.", "objectives": [ "Conduct final crewed lunar exploration at Taurus\u2013Littrow valley", "Return maximum lunar samples \u2014 110.5 kg collected", "Study ancient lunar geology and volcanic history", "Deploy and operate ALSEP science package", "Set records for longest EVA, greatest distance driven, largest sample return" ], "keywords": [ "Apollo 17", "last Moon landing", "Eugene Cernan", "Harrison Schmitt", "Taurus-Littrow", "1972 Moon landing" ], "launch_vehicle": "Saturn V", "launch_site": "Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Apollo_17_Cernan_on_rover.jpg", "images": [ "images/apollo_17a.jpg", "images/apollo_17b.jpg", "images/apollo_17c.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "NASA \u2014 Eugene Cernan on the Lunar Roving Vehicle, Taurus\u2013Littrow, December 1972. (NASA, public domain)", "NASA \u2014 Harrison Schmitt sampling the lunar surface in the Taurus\u2013Littrow valley, Apollo 17, December 1972. (NASA, public domain)", "NASA \u2014 'The Blue Marble' \u2014 Earth as photographed by Apollo 17 crew on December 7, 1972. (NASA, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nasa-apollo-17", "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/mission/apollo-17/" }, { "id": "nssdc-apollo-17", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1972-096C" } ], "related_missions": [ "apollo-16", "apollo-15" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1972-12-07T05:33Z", "event": "Night launch from Kennedy Space Center" }, { "date": "1972-12-11", "event": "Challenger lands at Taurus\u2013Littrow" }, { "date": "1972-12-11", "event": "First EVA \u2014 ALSEP deployment" }, { "date": "1972-12-12", "event": "Second EVA \u2014 South Massif and orange soil discovery" }, { "date": "1972-12-13", "event": "Third EVA \u2014 North Massif" }, { "date": "1972-12-14T22:54Z", "event": "Cernan is last human to walk on Moon" }, { "date": "1972-12-19", "event": "Crew splashdown, Pacific Ocean" } ] }, { "slug": "luna-16", "name": "Luna 16", "org": "USSR", "agency_full": "Soviet Space Program", "agency_id": "soviet", "country": "Soviet Union", "spacecraft": "Luna 16", "lat": -0.68, "lon": 56.3, "site_name": "Mare Fecunditatis", "site_id": "mare-fecunditatis", "year": 1970, "launch_date": "September 12, 1970", "landing_date": "September 20, 1970", "end_date": "September 24, 1970", "color": "#ff4444", "type": "Robotic", "status": "LANDED", "duration": "12 days (total mission)", "achievement": "First robotic sample return from the Moon", "description": "Luna 16 was the first robotic spacecraft to land on the Moon and successfully return a sample of lunar soil to Earth. It drilled 35 cm into the surface and returned 101 grams of regolith.", "objectives": [ "First robotic lunar sample return", "Drill and collect regolith from Mare Fecunditatis", "Return 101 g of lunar soil to Earth" ], "keywords": [ "Luna 16", "first robotic sample return", "Soviet Moon mission", "Mare Fecunditatis", "1970" ], "launch_vehicle": "Proton-K", "launch_site": "Baikonur Cosmodrome", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Luna_16_return_capsule.jpg", "images": [ "images/luna_16a.jpg", "images/luna_16b.jpg", "images/luna_16c.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "Wikimedia Commons \u2014 Luna 16 sample return capsule, displayed at the Russian exposition, containing 101 grams of lunar soil from Mare Fecunditatis. (Public domain / Soviet Space Program)", "NASA/NSSDC \u2014 Luna 16 mission technical diagram showing the drilling and ascent stage operations. (Public domain)", "Wikimedia Commons \u2014 Luna 16 spacecraft at the landing site in Mare Fecunditatis, September 1970. (Public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-luna-16", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1970-072A" }, { "id": "wiki-luna-16", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_16" } ], "related_missions": [ "luna-20", "luna-24", "change-5" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1970-09-12", "event": "Launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome" }, { "date": "1970-09-20", "event": "Lands in Mare Fecunditatis" }, { "date": "1970-09-21", "event": "Drill collects 101 g of regolith" }, { "date": "1970-09-24", "event": "Return capsule lands in Kazakhstan \u2014 first robotic sample return" } ] }, { "slug": "luna-17", "name": "Luna 17", "org": "USSR", "agency_full": "Soviet Space Program", "agency_id": "soviet", "country": "Soviet Union", "spacecraft": "Luna 17 / Lunokhod 1 rover", "lat": 38.24, "lon": -37.0, "site_name": "Mare Imbrium", "site_id": "mare-imbrium-luna-17", "year": 1970, "launch_date": "November 10, 1970", "landing_date": "November 17, 1970", "end_date": "October 4, 1971", "color": "#ff4444", "type": "Robotic", "status": "LANDED", "duration": "322 days (rover ops)", "achievement": "First successful lunar rover (Lunokhod 1)", "description": "Luna 17 delivered the Lunokhod 1 rover, the first successful robotic lunar rover in history. Lunokhod 1 operated for 322 days, travelling 10.54 km across Mare Imbrium.", "objectives": [ "Deploy and operate Lunokhod 1 \u2014 first robotic rover on the Moon", "Traverse and photograph Mare Imbrium terrain", "Study soil mechanics and surface properties", "Test teleoperated mobility over extended period" ], "keywords": [ "Luna 17", "Lunokhod 1", "first lunar rover", "Soviet Moon rover", "Mare Imbrium" ], "launch_vehicle": "Proton-K", "launch_site": "Baikonur Cosmodrome", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/87/Lunokhod_1.jpg", "images": [ "images/luna_17a.jpg", "images/luna_17b.jpg", "images/luna_17c.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "Roscosmos/Soviet Space Program \u2014 Lunokhod 1 rover on the lunar surface in Mare Imbrium, 1970\u20131971. (Public domain / Soviet Space Program)", "Soviet Space Program \u2014 Lunokhod 1 model showing rover design including solar panel lid and eight wheels. (Public domain)", "NASA/Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter \u2014 Lunokhod 1 rover tracks visible in modern LRO imagery, Mare Imbrium. (NASA, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-luna-17", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1970-095A" }, { "id": "wiki-luna-17", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_17" } ], "related_missions": [ "luna-21" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1970-11-10", "event": "Launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome" }, { "date": "1970-11-17", "event": "Lands in Mare Imbrium; Lunokhod 1 deployed" }, { "date": "1970-11-17", "event": "Lunokhod 1 begins surface traverses" }, { "date": "1971-10-04", "event": "Last session with Lunokhod 1 \u2014 mission ends (10.54 km total)" } ] }, { "slug": "luna-20", "name": "Luna 20", "org": "USSR", "agency_full": "Soviet Space Program", "agency_id": "soviet", "country": "Soviet Union", "spacecraft": "Luna 20", "lat": 3.53, "lon": 56.55, "site_name": "Apollonius Highlands", "site_id": "apollonius-highlands", "year": 1972, "launch_date": "February 14, 1972", "landing_date": "February 21, 1972", "end_date": "February 25, 1972", "color": "#ff4444", "type": "Robotic", "status": "LANDED", "duration": "8 days (total mission)", "achievement": "First sample return from lunar highlands", "description": "Luna 20 successfully soft-landed in the Apollonius highlands and returned 55 grams of lunar soil core samples to Earth, the first highlands sample return.", "objectives": [ "Land in lunar highlands (Apollonius region)", "Collect and return 55 g of highland soil samples", "Study differences between mare and highland regolith" ], "keywords": [ "Luna 20", "Soviet Moon mission 1972", "lunar highlands sample return", "Apollonius" ], "launch_vehicle": "Proton-K", "launch_site": "Baikonur Cosmodrome", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/Soviet_Union-1972-Stamp-Luna_20-cropped.jpg", "images": [ "images/luna_20a.jpg", "images/luna_20b.jpg", "images/luna_20c.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "Soviet Space Program \u2014 Luna 20 spacecraft at the Apollonius Highlands landing site, February 1972. (Public domain / Soviet Space Program)", "Wikimedia Commons \u2014 Luna 20 return capsule containing 55 grams of lunar highland soil. First sample return from the highlands. (Public domain)", "NASA/NSSDC \u2014 Luna 20 mission technical profile. First lunar highlands sample return, February 1972. (Public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-luna-20", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1972-007A" }, { "id": "wiki-luna-20", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_20" } ], "related_missions": [ "luna-16", "luna-24" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1972-02-14", "event": "Launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome" }, { "date": "1972-02-21", "event": "Lands in Apollonius Highlands \u2014 first highland landing" }, { "date": "1972-02-22", "event": "Drill collects 55 g of highland soil" }, { "date": "1972-02-25", "event": "Return capsule lands in Kazakhstan" } ] }, { "slug": "luna-21", "name": "Luna 21", "org": "USSR", "agency_full": "Soviet Space Program", "agency_id": "soviet", "country": "Soviet Union", "spacecraft": "Luna 21 / Lunokhod 2 rover", "lat": 25.83, "lon": 30.92, "site_name": "Le Monnier crater, Mare Serenitatis", "site_id": "le-monnier-crater", "year": 1973, "launch_date": "January 8, 1973", "landing_date": "January 15, 1973", "end_date": "May 11, 1973", "color": "#ff4444", "type": "Robotic", "status": "LANDED", "duration": "4 months (rover ops)", "achievement": "Deployed Lunokhod 2 \u2014 farthest-travelling rover of its era", "description": "Luna 21 delivered the Lunokhod 2 rover to Le Monnier crater. Lunokhod 2 operated for about 4 months, travelling approximately 42 km \u2014 the longest distance travelled by any off-Earth wheeled vehicle for over three decades.", "objectives": [ "Deploy and operate Lunokhod 2 in Le Monnier crater", "Conduct extended surface traverses (42 km achieved)", "Study magnetic field anomalies near mare-highland boundary", "Photograph surface terrain in high resolution" ], "keywords": [ "Luna 21", "Lunokhod 2", "Le Monnier crater", "Soviet rover", "Mare Serenitatis" ], "launch_vehicle": "Proton-K", "launch_site": "Baikonur Cosmodrome", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/Lunokhod_2_rover.jpg", "images": [ "images/luna_21a.jpg", "images/luna_21b.jpg", "images/luna_21c.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "Soviet Space Program \u2014 Lunokhod 2 rover on the lunar surface in Le Monnier crater, 1973. (Public domain / Soviet Space Program)", "Wikimedia Commons \u2014 Lunokhod 2 model showing improved design over Lunokhod 1 with additional cameras. (Public domain)", "NASA/Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter \u2014 Lunokhod 2 rover tracks in Le Monnier crater imaged by LRO, 2010. (NASA, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-luna-21", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1973-001A" }, { "id": "wiki-luna-21", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_21" } ], "related_missions": [ "luna-17" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1973-01-08", "event": "Launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome" }, { "date": "1973-01-15", "event": "Lands at Le Monnier crater; Lunokhod 2 deployed" }, { "date": "1973-01-15", "event": "Lunokhod 2 begins surface operations" }, { "date": "1973-05-11", "event": "Last contact \u2014 42 km travelled, lunar distance record for decades" } ] }, { "slug": "luna-24", "name": "Luna 24", "org": "USSR", "agency_full": "Soviet Space Program", "agency_id": "soviet", "country": "Soviet Union", "spacecraft": "Luna 24", "lat": 12.71, "lon": 62.21, "site_name": "Mare Crisium", "site_id": "mare-crisium-luna-24", "year": 1976, "launch_date": "August 9, 1976", "landing_date": "August 18, 1976", "end_date": "August 22, 1976", "color": "#ff4444", "type": "Robotic", "status": "LANDED", "duration": "6 days (surface ops)", "achievement": "Last Soviet lunar landing; first detection of water traces in lunar soil", "description": "Luna 24 was the last Soviet lunar landing mission and the last mission to return lunar samples until Chang'e 5 in 2020. It returned 170 grams of samples from Mare Crisium. Analysis later detected water molecules bound to the soil.", "objectives": [ "Drill 2 m into Mare Crisium regolith", "Return 170 g of deep core samples to Earth", "Study internal structure of lunar regolith column" ], "keywords": [ "Luna 24", "last Soviet Moon mission", "Mare Crisium", "water ice Moon", "1976 lunar landing" ], "launch_vehicle": "Proton-K", "launch_site": "Baikonur Cosmodrome", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Luna_24.jpg", "images": [ "images/luna_24a.jpg", "images/luna_24b.jpg", "images/luna_24c.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "Wikimedia Commons \u2014 Luna 24 spacecraft model showing the drill and return capsule design. Last Soviet lunar landing, August 18, 1976. (Public domain / Soviet Space Program)", "NASA/NSSDC \u2014 Luna 24 core tube containing 170 grams of regolith from 2 m depth in Mare Crisium, returned August 22, 1976. (Public domain)", "Wikimedia Commons \u2014 Luna 24 mission photograph from the lunar surface in Mare Crisium, August 1976. (Public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-luna-24", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1976-081A" }, { "id": "wiki-luna-24", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_24" } ], "related_missions": [ "luna-20", "luna-16", "change-5" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1976-08-09", "event": "Launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome" }, { "date": "1976-08-18", "event": "Lands in Mare Crisium" }, { "date": "1976-08-18", "event": "2 m core drill deployed \u2014 170 g collected" }, { "date": "1976-08-22", "event": "Return capsule lands in Siberia \u2014 last Soviet lunar sample return" } ] }, { "slug": "change-3", "name": "Chang'e 3", "org": "China", "agency_full": "China National Space Administration (CNSA)", "agency_id": "cnsa", "country": "China", "spacecraft": "Chang'e 3 lander + Yutu rover", "lat": 44.12, "lon": -19.51, "site_name": "Sinus Iridum region, Mare Imbrium", "site_id": "sinus-iridum", "year": 2013, "launch_date": "December 1, 2013", "landing_date": "December 14, 2013", "end_date": "August 3, 2016", "color": "#ffaa00", "type": "Robotic", "status": "LANDED", "duration": "31 months (rover ops)", "achievement": "First Chinese lunar soft landing; first soft landing on Moon since 1976", "description": "Chang'e 3 was China's first lunar soft-landing mission and the first soft landing on the Moon since Luna 24 in 1976. The Yutu ('Jade Rabbit') rover was deployed and operated in Mare Imbrium for 31 months, far exceeding its designed lifespan.", "objectives": [ "First Chinese soft landing on the Moon", "Deploy Yutu rover for surface exploration", "Conduct ground-penetrating radar survey of lunar subsurface", "Test autonomous navigation and hazard avoidance", "Astronomical observations from the lunar surface" ], "keywords": [ "Chang'e 3", "China Moon landing", "Yutu rover", "first Chinese lunar landing", "2013 Moon landing", "CNSA" ], "launch_vehicle": "Long March 3B", "launch_site": "Xichang Satellite Launch Center", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/Yutu_rover.jpg", "images": [ "images/change_3a.jpg", "images/change_3b.jpg", "images/change_3c.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "CNSA \u2014 Chang'e 3 lander on the lunar surface in the Sinus Iridum region, December 2013. First Chinese lunar soft landing. (CNSA, public domain)", "CNSA \u2014 Yutu (Jade Rabbit) rover photographed by the Chang'e 3 lander camera, December 2013. (CNSA, public domain)", "CNSA / Wikimedia Commons \u2014 Chang'e 3 descent engine plume as the lander approaches the lunar surface, December 14, 2013. (CNSA, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-change-3", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2013-070A" }, { "id": "wiki-change-3", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang%27e_3" } ], "related_missions": [ "change-4", "change-5" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2013-12-01", "event": "Launch from Xichang Satellite Launch Center" }, { "date": "2013-12-14", "event": "Chang'e 3 lands in Sinus Iridum \u2014 first Chinese lunar landing" }, { "date": "2013-12-14", "event": "Yutu rover deployed onto lunar surface" }, { "date": "2014-01-25", "event": "Yutu suffers mechanical problem but continues limited ops" }, { "date": "2016-08-03", "event": "Last contact with Yutu rover (31 months of surface ops)" } ] }, { "slug": "change-4", "name": "Chang'e 4", "org": "China", "agency_full": "China National Space Administration (CNSA)", "agency_id": "cnsa", "country": "China", "spacecraft": "Chang'e 4 lander + Yutu-2 rover", "lat": -45.44, "lon": 177.59, "site_name": "Von K\u00e1rm\u00e1n crater, South Pole-Aitken Basin (far side)", "site_id": "von-karman-crater", "year": 2019, "launch_date": "December 7, 2018", "landing_date": "January 3, 2019", "end_date": null, "color": "#ffaa00", "type": "Robotic", "status": "LANDED", "duration": "Still operational", "achievement": "First-ever soft landing on the far side of the Moon", "description": "Chang'e 4 achieved humanity's first soft landing on the far side of the Moon in the Von K\u00e1rm\u00e1n crater within the South Pole-Aitken Basin. The Yutu-2 rover continues to operate and has broken the record for farthest-travelled lunar rover.", "objectives": [ "First soft landing on the far side of the Moon", "Study Von K\u00e1rm\u00e1n crater in the South Pole-Aitken Basin", "Operate Yutu-2 rover for long-distance traverse", "Low-frequency radio astronomy from the far side (no Earth interference)", "Test relay communication via Queqiao satellite" ], "keywords": [ "Chang'e 4", "far side Moon landing", "Yutu-2 rover", "Von Karman crater", "South Pole-Aitken Basin", "CNSA" ], "launch_vehicle": "Long March 3B", "launch_site": "Xichang Satellite Launch Center", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Chang%27e_4_rover_Yutu-2.png", "images": [ "images/change_4a.jpg", "images/change_4b.jpg", "images/change_4c.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "CNSA \u2014 Chang'e 4 lander on the far side of the Moon in Von K\u00e1rm\u00e1n crater, January 2019. First ever far-side landing. (CNSA, public domain)", "CNSA \u2014 Yutu-2 rover on the far side of the Moon, January 2019. Taken by the Chang'e 4 lander camera. (CNSA, public domain)", "CNSA \u2014 Chang'e 4 ground track view showing landing site in the South Pole-Aitken Basin far side. (CNSA, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-change-4", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2018-103A" }, { "id": "wiki-change-4", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang%27e_4" } ], "related_missions": [ "change-3", "change-6" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2018-12-07", "event": "Launch from Xichang Satellite Launch Center" }, { "date": "2019-01-03", "event": "Lands in Von K\u00e1rm\u00e1n crater \u2014 first far-side lunar landing in history" }, { "date": "2019-01-03", "event": "Yutu-2 rover deployed; begins far-side traverses" }, { "date": "2019-01-11", "event": "Queqiao relay satellite enables first far-side communications" }, { "date": "2024-01", "event": "Yutu-2 surpasses Lunokhod 2 \u2014 longest-travelling lunar rover (>1,600 m)" } ] }, { "slug": "change-5", "name": "Chang'e 5", "org": "China", "agency_full": "China National Space Administration (CNSA)", "agency_id": "cnsa", "country": "China", "spacecraft": "Chang'e 5 lander + ascent vehicle", "lat": 43.06, "lon": -51.92, "site_name": "Mons R\u00fcmker, Oceanus Procellarum", "site_id": "mons-rumker", "year": 2020, "launch_date": "November 23, 2020", "landing_date": "December 1, 2020", "end_date": "December 16, 2020", "color": "#ffaa00", "type": "Robotic", "status": "LANDED", "duration": "23 days (total mission)", "achievement": "First lunar sample return since 1976", "description": "Chang'e 5 collected 1,731 grams of lunar material from the Mons R\u00fcmker volcanic region \u2014 the first lunar sample return in 44 years. The samples have been distributed to researchers worldwide and include the youngest basaltic samples yet returned.", "objectives": [ "Land at Mons R\u00fcmker volcanic formation and collect 2 kg of samples", "First Chinese sample return mission from the Moon", "First lunar sample return since Soviet Luna 24 in 1976", "Return youngest basaltic samples (1.96 billion years old) to characterize recent volcanism" ], "keywords": [ "Chang'e 5", "lunar sample return", "Mons Rumker", "youngest basalt", "CNSA", "2020 Moon mission" ], "launch_vehicle": "Long March 5", "launch_site": "Wenchang Space Launch Site", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/Change_5_lunar_lander-ascender_combination_model.jpg", "images": [ "images/change_5a.jpg", "images/change_5b.jpg", "images/change_5c.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "CNSA \u2014 Chang'e 5 lander and ascent vehicle on the surface of Mons R\u00fcmker, Oceanus Procellarum, December 2020. (CNSA, public domain)", "CNSA \u2014 Chang'e 5 sample capsule returned to Earth, December 16, 2020, containing 1,731 g of lunar material. (CNSA, public domain)", "CNSA/Wikimedia Commons \u2014 Chang'e 5 lander-ascender combination model showing mission configuration. (CNSA, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-change-5", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2020-087A" }, { "id": "wiki-change-5", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang%27e_5" } ], "related_missions": [ "luna-24", "change-6" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2020-11-23", "event": "Launch from Wenchang Space Launch Site on Long March 5" }, { "date": "2020-12-01", "event": "Lands at Mons R\u00fcmker, Oceanus Procellarum" }, { "date": "2020-12-02", "event": "Drill and surface sampling completed \u2014 1,731 g collected" }, { "date": "2020-12-03", "event": "Ascent vehicle lifts off from lunar surface" }, { "date": "2020-12-16", "event": "Return capsule lands in Inner Mongolia \u2014 first lunar sample return since 1976" } ] }, { "slug": "chandrayaan-3", "name": "Chandrayaan-3", "org": "India", "agency_full": "Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)", "agency_id": "isro", "country": "India", "spacecraft": "Vikram lander + Pragyan rover", "lat": -69.37, "lon": 32.35, "site_name": "Shiv Shakti Point, lunar south polar region", "site_id": "shiv-shakti-point", "year": 2023, "launch_date": "July 14, 2023", "landing_date": "August 23, 2023", "end_date": "September 2, 2023", "color": "#00aaff", "type": "Robotic", "status": "LANDED", "duration": "14 days (1 lunar day, surface ops)", "achievement": "First landing near the lunar south pole; India becomes 4th nation to soft-land on Moon", "description": "Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed near the lunar south pole at a site named Shiv Shakti Point. The Pragyan rover deployed and confirmed the presence of sulphur, oxygen, iron, and other elements on the lunar surface. India became the first country to successfully land near the south pole.", "objectives": [ "First Indian soft landing on the Moon", "Deploy Pragyan rover for south polar surface exploration", "Detect and characterize surface composition (sulphur, oxygen, iron confirmed)", "Demonstrate lunar south polar landing technology" ], "keywords": [ "Chandrayaan-3", "India Moon landing", "Shiv Shakti Point", "lunar south pole", "ISRO", "Vikram lander", "Pragyan rover" ], "launch_vehicle": "LVM3-M4 (formerly GSLV Mk III)", "launch_site": "Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Pragyan_rover.jpg", "images": [ "images/chandrayaan_3a.jpg", "images/chandrayaan_3b.jpg", "images/chandrayaan_3c.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "ISRO \u2014 Vikram lander footpad on the lunar surface at Shiv Shakti Point, near the lunar south pole, August 23, 2023. (ISRO, public domain)", "ISRO \u2014 Pragyan rover on the lunar surface near the Vikram lander, as photographed by the navigation cameras, August 2023. (ISRO, public domain)", "ISRO \u2014 Chandrayaan-3 mission control team celebrating successful landing, August 23, 2023. (ISRO, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "isro-chandrayaan-3", "url": "https://www.isro.gov.in/Chandrayaan3.html" }, { "id": "wiki-chandrayaan-3", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandrayaan-3" } ], "related_missions": [ "luna-25", "im-2-athena", "change-7" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2023-07-14", "event": "Launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre" }, { "date": "2023-08-05", "event": "Entered lunar orbit" }, { "date": "2023-08-23T18:03 IST", "event": "Vikram lander soft-lands at Shiv Shakti Point \u2014 first south polar landing" }, { "date": "2023-08-24", "event": "Pragyan rover deployed; sulphur confirmed on surface" }, { "date": "2023-09-02", "event": "Rover enters sleep mode for lunar night; mission declared complete" } ] }, { "slug": "luna-25", "name": "Luna 25", "org": "Russia", "agency_full": "Roscosmos State Corporation", "agency_id": "roscosmos", "country": "Russia", "spacecraft": "Luna 25", "lat": -69.545, "lon": 21.178, "site_name": "Boguslawsky crater region (impact site)", "site_id": "luna-25-impact-site", "year": 2023, "launch_date": "August 10, 2023", "landing_date": null, "end_date": "August 19, 2023", "color": "#cc3333", "type": "Robotic", "status": "IMPACT", "duration": "5 days (in lunar orbit before crash)", "achievement": "Russia's first lunar mission since Luna 24 in 1976", "description": "Luna 25 was Russia's first lunar mission in 47 years, intended to land near the south pole. On August 19, 2023, a malfunction during the pre-landing manoeuvre caused the spacecraft to enter an uncontrolled orbit and impact the lunar surface.", "objectives": [ "Land near the lunar south pole \u2014 first Russian polar landing", "Study south polar regolith for water ice evidence", "Demonstrate Roscosmos return to lunar exploration after 47-year gap" ], "keywords": [ "Luna 25", "Russia Moon crash", "Roscosmos lunar mission", "Luna 25 impact", "lunar south pole 2023" ], "launch_vehicle": "Soyuz-2.1b / Fregat", "launch_site": "Vostochny Cosmodrome", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2f/Luna_25_spacecraft.jpg", "images": [ "images/luna_25a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "Roscosmos \u2014 Luna 25 (Luna-Glob Lander) spacecraft model. Russia's first lunar mission since 1976. The mission suffered a thruster anomaly during pre-landing orbit correction on August 19, 2023, and crashed into the Moon. No landing was achieved. (Roscosmos, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "wiki-luna-25", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_25" }, { "id": "esa-luna-25", "url": "https://www.esa.int/Space_in_Member_States/Russia/Luna-25" } ], "related_missions": [ "chandrayaan-3", "luna-24" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2023-08-10", "event": "Launch from Vostochny Cosmodrome on Soyuz-2.1b" }, { "date": "2023-08-16", "event": "Entered lunar orbit" }, { "date": "2023-08-19", "event": "Thruster anomaly during pre-landing orbit correction manoeuvre" }, { "date": "2023-08-19", "event": "Luna 25 impacts lunar surface \u2014 mission lost" } ] }, { "slug": "hakuto-r-mission-1", "name": "Hakuto-R Mission 1", "org": "ispace", "agency_full": "ispace, Inc. (Commercial)", "agency_id": "ispace", "country": "Japan", "spacecraft": "RESILIENCE lander", "lat": 47.5, "lon": 44.1, "site_name": "Atlas crater (impact site)", "site_id": "atlas-crater-impact", "year": 2023, "launch_date": "December 11, 2022", "landing_date": null, "end_date": "April 26, 2023", "color": "#66ccff", "type": "Robotic", "status": "IMPACT", "duration": "~5 months (transit), crashed on landing approach", "achievement": "First commercial lunar landing attempt to reach the surface", "description": "ispace's RESILIENCE lander was the first private Japanese spacecraft to reach the Moon. On April 26, 2023, the spacecraft crashed during its final descent, likely due to a software issue in the altimeter that caused it to run out of fuel before touchdown.", "objectives": [ "First ispace private lunar landing attempt", "Deploy Rashid rover (UAE) on lunar surface", "Deploy JAXA's Lunar Excursion Vehicle (LEV-1, LEV-2)", "Demonstrate commercial lunar transportation service" ], "keywords": [ "Hakuto-R", "ispace Moon", "RESILIENCE lander", "Rashid rover", "commercial Moon landing", "Japan private Moon" ], "launch_vehicle": "Falcon 9", "launch_site": "Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, LC-40", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/HAKUTO-R_Mission_1.jpg", "images": [ "images/hakuto_r_mission_1b.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "UAE Space Agency / Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre \u2014 Rashid Rover (SORAQ), main payload of Hakuto-R Mission 1. The RESILIENCE lander impacted the Moon rather than landing on April 26, 2023. (Wikimedia Commons, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "wiki-hakuto-r", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakuto-R_Mission_1" }, { "id": "ispace-hakuto-r", "url": "https://ispace-inc.com/hakuto-r/" } ], "related_missions": [ "im-1-odysseus", "luna-25" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2022-12-11", "event": "Launch from Cape Canaveral on Falcon 9" }, { "date": "2023-04-25", "event": "Final orbital manoeuvre before landing attempt" }, { "date": "2023-04-26T17:40 JST", "event": "Communication lost during descent \u2014 RESILIENCE impacts the Moon" }, { "date": "2023-05", "event": "NASA LRO confirms crash site in Atlas crater" } ] }, { "slug": "slim", "name": "SLIM", "org": "Japan", "agency_full": "Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)", "agency_id": "jaxa", "country": "Japan", "spacecraft": "Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM)", "lat": -13.316, "lon": 25.247, "site_name": "Near Shioli crater, Mare Nectaris", "site_id": "shioli-crater-mare-nectaris", "year": 2024, "launch_date": "September 6, 2023", "landing_date": "January 19, 2024", "end_date": "January 31, 2024", "color": "#66ccff", "type": "Robotic", "status": "PARTIAL", "duration": "10 days (surface ops, intermittent power)", "achievement": "Demonstrated 100 m precision pinpoint landing; Japan 5th nation to soft-land on Moon", "description": "SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) demonstrated precise pinpoint landing technology, touching down within 55 metres of its target \u2014 far exceeding the original 100 m goal. The lander came to rest inverted due to a main engine failure during descent, causing power issues, but still transmitted scientific data.", "objectives": [ "Demonstrate pinpoint landing within 100 m of target (achieved within 55 m)", "Make Japan the 5th nation to soft-land on the Moon", "Deploy LEV-1 and SORA-Q (LEV-2) micro-rovers", "Image the lunar surface with multi-band spectroscopic camera" ], "keywords": [ "SLIM", "JAXA Moon lander", "pinpoint landing", "Japan Moon", "Smart Lander", "2024 Moon landing" ], "launch_vehicle": "H-IIA", "launch_site": "Tanegashima Space Center, Yoshinobu Launch Complex", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Lunar_Excursion_Vehicle_2_%28LEV-2%29_SORA-Q.jpg", "images": [ "images/slima.jpg", "images/slimb.jpg", "images/slimc.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "JAXA \u2014 SLIM lander on the lunar surface near Shioli crater, Mare Nectaris, January 19, 2024. The lander came to rest inverted due to main engine failure but still operated. (JAXA, public domain)", "JAXA/Ritsumeikan University/University of Aizu \u2014 SORA-Q (LEV-2) micro-rover on the lunar surface, photographed from the Moon. (JAXA, public domain)", "JAXA \u2014 SLIM mission photograph showing the tipped-over lander status confirmed by LEV-2 rover camera, January 2024. (JAXA, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "jaxa-slim", "url": "https://global.jaxa.jp/projects/sas/slim/" }, { "id": "wiki-slim", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_Lander_for_Investigating_Moon" } ], "related_missions": [ "hakuto-r-mission-1", "im-1-odysseus" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2023-09-06", "event": "Launch from Tanegashima Space Center on H-IIA" }, { "date": "2023-12-25", "event": "Entered lunar orbit" }, { "date": "2024-01-19T15:20 JST", "event": "SLIM lands within 55 m of target near Shioli crater \u2014 pinpoint success" }, { "date": "2024-01-19", "event": "Lander inverted \u2014 solar panels face wrong direction" }, { "date": "2024-01-28", "event": "Power restored as Sun angle changes \u2014 science operations resume" }, { "date": "2024-01-31", "event": "Final contact \u2014 mission complete" } ] }, { "slug": "im-1-odysseus", "name": "IM-1 Odysseus", "org": "Intuitive Machines", "agency_full": "Intuitive Machines, LLC (Commercial / NASA CLPS)", "agency_id": "intuitive-machines", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Nova-C class lander 'Odysseus'", "lat": -80.13, "lon": 1.44, "site_name": "Near Malapert A crater, lunar south polar region", "site_id": "malapert-a-region", "year": 2024, "launch_date": "February 15, 2024", "landing_date": "February 22, 2024", "end_date": "March 7, 2024", "color": "#00ff88", "type": "Robotic", "status": "PARTIAL", "duration": "14 days (surface ops, tipped over)", "achievement": "First US soft landing on Moon since Apollo 17 (1972); first commercial US soft landing", "description": "IM-1 Odysseus landed near the Malapert A crater in the lunar south polar region, making it the first American spacecraft to soft-land on the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972 and the first privately-built spacecraft to land. The lander tipped on its side at touchdown due to a broken foot, but still operated and returned scientific data for NASA.", "objectives": [ "First US soft landing on the Moon since Apollo 17 (1972)", "Deliver six NASA CLPS payloads to the lunar south polar region", "Demonstrate commercial lunar delivery service", "Operate near Malapert A crater to study south polar environment" ], "keywords": [ "IM-1 Odysseus", "Intuitive Machines", "first US Moon landing since Apollo", "commercial Moon landing", "NASA CLPS", "Malapert crater" ], "launch_vehicle": "Falcon 9", "launch_site": "Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/IM-1_Odysseus_-_pre-launch.jpg", "images": [ "images/im1_odysseusa.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "NASA / Intuitive Machines \u2014 IM-1 Odysseus Nova-C lander (SVS14529). First US commercial soft landing on the Moon, February 22, 2024, near Malapert A crater, lunar south polar region. Lander tipped on its side after touchdown but returned data. (NASA, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "wiki-im1", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IM-1" }, { "id": "nasa-im1", "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/commercial-lunar-payload-services/im-1/" } ], "related_missions": [ "im-2-athena", "blue-ghost", "slim" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2024-02-15", "event": "Launch from Kennedy Space Center on Falcon 9" }, { "date": "2024-02-21", "event": "Entered lunar orbit" }, { "date": "2024-02-22", "event": "Navigation laser issue discovered \u2014 backup solution improvised" }, { "date": "2024-02-22T23:24 UTC", "event": "Odysseus lands near Malapert A \u2014 first US Moon landing since 1972" }, { "date": "2024-02-22", "event": "Lander tips on side at touchdown \u2014 partial mission" }, { "date": "2024-03-07", "event": "Last contact before lunar night" } ] }, { "slug": "change-6", "name": "Chang'e 6", "org": "China", "agency_full": "China National Space Administration (CNSA)", "agency_id": "cnsa", "country": "China", "spacecraft": "Chang'e 6 lander + ascent vehicle", "lat": -41.64, "lon": -153.99, "site_name": "Apollo crater, South Pole-Aitken Basin (far side)", "site_id": "apollo-crater-spa-basin", "year": 2024, "launch_date": "May 3, 2024", "landing_date": "June 1, 2024", "end_date": "June 25, 2024", "color": "#ffaa00", "type": "Robotic", "status": "LANDED", "duration": "53 days (total mission)", "achievement": "First-ever sample return from the lunar far side", "description": "Chang'e 6 achieved the first-ever sample return from the lunar far side, collecting 1,935.3 grams of material from the South Pole-Aitken Basin's Apollo crater. Communication was enabled by the relay satellite Queqiao-2. The SPA basin samples are among the most scientifically significant ever returned from the Moon.", "objectives": [ "First sample return from the lunar far side", "Collect 1,935 g of material from the South Pole-Aitken Basin", "Study oldest and largest lunar impact basin via returned samples", "Demonstrate Queqiao-2 relay satellite for far-side communications" ], "keywords": [ "Chang'e 6", "far side sample return", "South Pole-Aitken Basin", "Apollo crater far side", "CNSA 2024", "lunar sample return" ], "launch_vehicle": "Long March 5", "launch_site": "Wenchang Space Launch Site", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/Chang%27e_6_illustration.jpg", "images": [ "images/change_6a.jpg", "images/change_6b.jpg", "images/change_6c.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "CNSA \u2014 Chang'e 6 far-side surface sampling area, Apollo Crater, South Pole-Aitken Basin, June 2024. First ever far-side sample collection. (CNSA, public domain)", "Chang'e 6 lunar samples on display at IAC 2024 \u2014 1,935 g of far-side lunar material. Historic first far-side sample return. (CC BY-SA 4.0)", "CNSA \u2014 Chang'e 6 mission imagery from the far side of the Moon, June 2024. (CNSA, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "wiki-change-6", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang%27e_6" }, { "id": "cnsa-change-6", "url": "https://www.cnsa.gov.cn/" } ], "related_missions": [ "change-5", "change-4" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2024-05-03", "event": "Launch from Wenchang Space Launch Site on Long March 5" }, { "date": "2024-05-08", "event": "Queqiao-2 relay satellite confirmed operational" }, { "date": "2024-06-01", "event": "Chang'e 6 lands in Apollo crater, SPA Basin far side \u2014 first far-side sample landing" }, { "date": "2024-06-03", "event": "Sample collection completed \u2014 1,935.3 g collected via drill and scoop" }, { "date": "2024-06-03", "event": "Ascent vehicle lifts off from the far side" }, { "date": "2024-06-25", "event": "Return capsule lands in Inner Mongolia" } ] }, { "slug": "blue-ghost", "name": "Blue Ghost (Firefly Aerospace)", "org": "Firefly Aerospace", "agency_full": "Firefly Aerospace, Inc. (Commercial / NASA CLPS)", "agency_id": "firefly-aerospace", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Blue Ghost lander", "lat": 18.51, "lon": 61.82, "site_name": "Mare Crisium", "site_id": "mare-crisium-blue-ghost", "year": 2025, "launch_date": "January 15, 2025", "landing_date": "March 2, 2025", "end_date": "March 16, 2025", "color": "#00ff88", "type": "Robotic", "status": "LANDED", "duration": "14 days (1 lunar day, surface ops)", "achievement": "First fully successful commercial US lunar landing", "description": "Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander completed the first fully successful commercial lunar landing for the United States under NASA's CLPS program. It landed upright in Mare Crisium, deployed ten NASA payloads, and operated through a full lunar day, including through a total lunar eclipse.", "objectives": [ "First fully successful commercial US lunar landing", "Deliver and operate 10 NASA science and technology payloads", "Operate through a complete lunar day in Mare Crisium", "Survive and observe a total lunar eclipse from the surface" ], "keywords": [ "Blue Ghost", "Firefly Aerospace", "commercial Moon landing", "NASA CLPS", "Mare Crisium", "2025 Moon landing" ], "launch_vehicle": "Falcon 9", "launch_site": "Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/Blue_Ghost_lander_illustration.jpg", "images": [ "images/blue_ghost_a.jpg", "images/blue_ghost_b.jpg", "images/blue_ghost_c.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "Firefly Aerospace / NASA CLPS \u2014 Blue Ghost Mission 1 lander rendering (NASA/Firefly Aerospace, public domain)", "NASA/KSC \u2014 Blue Ghost Mission 1 lander at Kennedy Space Center before launch (KSC-20250114-PH-KLS01_0006), January 2025. (NASA, public domain)", "NASA \u2014 Lunar dust science payload aboard Blue Ghost Mission 1 (IMG_0311), CLPS program. (NASA, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "wiki-blue-ghost", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Ghost_(spacecraft)" }, { "id": "nasa-blue-ghost", "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/commercial-lunar-payload-services/blue-ghost/" } ], "related_missions": [ "im-1-odysseus", "im-2-athena" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2025-01-15", "event": "Launch from Kennedy Space Center on Falcon 9" }, { "date": "2025-02-14", "event": "Entered lunar orbit" }, { "date": "2025-03-02", "event": "Blue Ghost lands upright in Mare Crisium \u2014 first fully successful commercial landing" }, { "date": "2025-03-03", "event": "All 10 NASA payloads confirmed operational" }, { "date": "2025-03-14", "event": "Observed total lunar eclipse from lunar surface" }, { "date": "2025-03-16", "event": "Mission ends as lunar night begins" } ] }, { "slug": "im-2-athena", "name": "IM-2 Athena", "org": "Intuitive Machines", "agency_full": "Intuitive Machines, LLC (Commercial / NASA CLPS)", "agency_id": "intuitive-machines", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Nova-C class lander 'Athena'", "lat": -84.47, "lon": 0.0, "site_name": "Near Shackleton Crater rim, lunar south pole", "site_id": "shackleton-crater-rim", "year": 2025, "launch_date": "February 26, 2025", "landing_date": "March 6, 2025", "end_date": "March 16, 2025", "color": "#00ff88", "type": "Robotic", "status": "PARTIAL", "duration": "~10 days (surface ops, tipped on side)", "achievement": "Southernmost spacecraft to land on the Moon", "description": "IM-2 Athena targeted the Shackleton Crater rim region near the lunar south pole. The lander touched down but tipped onto its side at landing, similar to IM-1. Despite the orientation, the mission operated and returned some data from the southernmost location any spacecraft has landed.", "objectives": [ "Land near Shackleton Crater rim at the lunar south pole", "Southernmost lunar landing ever attempted", "Deliver NASA PRIME-1 drill to search for water ice", "Demonstrate commercial south polar delivery capability" ], "keywords": [ "IM-2 Athena", "Intuitive Machines", "Shackleton Crater", "lunar south pole landing", "NASA CLPS", "southernmost Moon landing" ], "launch_vehicle": "Falcon 9", "launch_site": "Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/IM-2_Athena_illustration.jpg", "images": [ "images/im2_athenaa.jpg", "images/im2_athenab.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "Intuitive Machines / NASA \u2014 IM-2 Athena lander sideways on the lunar surface near Shackleton Crater rim, March 6, 2025. Southernmost spacecraft to land on the Moon. (NASA / Intuitive Machines, public domain)", "NASA/KSC \u2014 PRIME-1 MSolo mass spectrometer installation on IM-2 Athena Nova-C lander at Kennedy Space Center, October 2022. (NASA, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "wiki-im2", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IM-2" }, { "id": "nasa-im2", "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/commercial-lunar-payload-services/im-2/" } ], "related_missions": [ "im-1-odysseus", "blue-ghost", "change-7" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2025-02-26", "event": "Launch from Kennedy Space Center on Falcon 9" }, { "date": "2025-03-05", "event": "Entered lunar orbit" }, { "date": "2025-03-06", "event": "Athena touches down near Shackleton Crater rim \u2014 southernmost lunar landing" }, { "date": "2025-03-06", "event": "Lander tips on side \u2014 partial mission status" }, { "date": "2025-03-16", "event": "Mission operations end before lunar night" } ] }, { "slug": "change-7", "name": "Chang'e 7", "org": "China", "agency_full": "China National Space Administration (CNSA)", "agency_id": "cnsa", "country": "China", "spacecraft": "Orbiter, Lander, Rover, and Hopping 'Mini-Flying Probe'", "target_lat": -88.8, "target_lon": 123.4, "site_name": "Illuminated rim of Shackleton Crater, lunar south pole (TARGET \u2014 not confirmed)", "site_id": "shackleton-crater-rim", "year": 2026, "launch_date": "Target: August 2026 (tentative; possible slip to November 2026 \u2014 no confirmed date)", "landing_date": null, "end_date": null, "color": "#ffcc00", "type": "Robotic", "status": "PLANNED", "duration": "TBD", "achievement": "Planned: Characterize water ice in permanently shadowed regions near the lunar south pole", "description": "Chang'e 7 is a planned multi-spacecraft mission targeting the illuminated rim of Shackleton Crater at the lunar south pole. The architecture comprises an orbiter, a precision lander, a rover, and an innovative rocket-propelled 'mini-flying probe' (hopping drone) designed to enter and sample permanently shadowed crater interiors. The mission aims to confirm and characterize water ice deposits in 'cold traps', and to evaluate the region as a candidate site for China's International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). Chang'e 7 represents China's first landing attempt outside mid-latitude regions and will employ AI-based landmark image navigation for precision landing to within 100 metres.", "objectives": [ "Land near Shackleton Crater rim at lunar south pole", "Deploy hopping mini-probe to explore permanently shadowed regions", "Detect and characterize water ice deposits in cold traps", "Deploy rover for extended surface exploration", "Scout candidate sites for International Lunar Research Station (ILRS)" ], "keywords": [ "Chang'e 7", "Chang'e 7 Moon mission", "Chang'e 7 2026", "Shackleton Crater Moon landing", "Moon south pole missions", "International Lunar Research Station", "lunar south pole exploration", "China lunar exploration", "CNSA 2026 Moon" ], "launch_vehicle": "Long March 5", "launch_site": "Wenchang Space Launch Site", "image": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/Chang%27e_7_concept_art.jpg", "images": [ "images/change_7a.jpg", "images/change_7b.jpg", "images/change_7c.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "CNSA / Wikimedia Commons \u2014 Official Mission Concept Art: Lander, Hopper and Rover at Lunar South Pole. (CNSA, public domain)", "CNSA / Wikimedia Commons \u2014 Official Mission Concept Art: Post-launch Spacecraft Configuration. (CNSA, public domain)", "CNSA / Wikimedia Commons \u2014 Official Mission Concept Art: Orbital Deployment Module. (CNSA, public domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "wiki-change-7", "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang%27e_7" }, { "id": "cnsa-main", "url": "https://www.cnsa.gov.cn/" }, { "id": "spacenews-change-7", "url": "https://www.spacenews.com/china-confirms-change-7-launch-window/" } ], "related_missions": [ "change-6", "im-2-athena", "chandrayaan-3" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2026-08", "event": "Target launch window \u2014 Long March 5 from Wenchang (tentative)" }, { "date": "TBD", "event": "Lunar orbit insertion" }, { "date": "TBD", "event": "Precision landing near Shackleton Crater rim" }, { "date": "TBD", "event": "Mini-flying probe deployed into permanently shadowed region" } ] }, { "slug": "luna-1", "name": "Luna 1 (Mechta)", "org": "Soviet Space Program", "agency_id": "soviet", "agency_full": "Soviet Space Program (USSR)", "country": "Soviet Union", "spacecraft": "Luna E-1 No.4 (Mechta)", "year": 1959, "launch_date": "1959-01-02", "landing_date": null, "end_date": "1959-01-05", "color": "#e056fd", "type": "Robotic", "status": "FLYBY", "duration": "62 hours to lunar flyby", "achievement": "First spacecraft to reach the vicinity of the Moon and achieve Earth escape velocity, entering heliocentric orbit.", "description": "Luna 1 (originally nicknamed 'Mechta' or Dream) was launched on January 2, 1959. It became the first human-made object to reach Earth escape velocity and fly past the Moon at a distance of 5,995 km on January 4. During flight, it released a sodium gas cloud creating an artificial comet visible from Earth, proved the Moon lacked a significant dipole magnetic field, and discovered the solar wind stream.", "objectives": [ "Achieve Earth escape velocity and trajectory to the Moon", "Measure interplanetary magnetic fields and radiation in cislunar space", "Detect presence of lunar magnetic field and evaluate solar wind particles" ], "keywords": [ "Luna 1", "Mechta", "Soviet Union", "First Lunar Flyby", "Heliocentric Orbit", "Solar Wind" ], "launch_vehicle": "Luna 8K72", "launch_site": "Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 1/5", "site_id": null, "site_name": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/luna_1a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "Soviet Space Program / Wikimedia Commons \u2014 Luna 1 spacecraft model (Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-luna-1", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1959-012A" }, { "id": "nasa-luna-1", "url": "https://science.nasa.gov/mission/luna-1/" } ], "related_missions": [ "luna-2", "luna-3", "luna-9" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1959-01-02", "event": "Launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard Luna 8K72 rocket." }, { "date": "1959-01-03", "event": "Released orange sodium vapor cloud at 119,700 km from Earth, creating artificial comet for tracking." }, { "date": "1959-01-04", "event": "Closest approach to Moon (5,995 km) at 02:59 UTC, becoming first object in solar orbit." } ] }, { "slug": "luna-2", "name": "Luna 2", "org": "Soviet Space Program", "agency_id": "soviet", "agency_full": "Soviet Space Program (USSR)", "country": "Soviet Union", "spacecraft": "Luna E-1A No.7", "year": 1959, "launch_date": "1959-09-12", "landing_date": "1959-09-14", "end_date": "1959-09-14", "color": "#e056fd", "type": "Robotic", "status": "IMPACT", "duration": "33.5 hours", "achievement": "First human-made object to reach the surface of the Moon, impacting Palus Putredinis.", "description": "Luna 2 was launched on September 12, 1959, and successfully impacted the lunar surface east of Mare Serenitatis near the craters Aristillus, Archimedes, and Autolycus on September 14, 1959 at 22:02:24 UTC. The spherical spacecraft carried Soviet pennants and scientific sensors confirming that the Moon had no significant magnetic field or radiation belts.", "objectives": [ "Direct impact on the lunar surface with telemetric confirmation", "Deliver Soviet symbolic pennants to the Moon", "Measure radiation belts, cosmic rays, and magnetic field right down to the surface" ], "keywords": [ "Luna 2", "Soviet Union", "First Lunar Impact", "Palus Putredinis", "Pennant Sphere" ], "launch_vehicle": "Luna 8K72", "launch_site": "Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 1/5", "site_id": null, "site_name": "Palus Putredinis (Luna 2 Impact Site)", "lat": 29.1, "lon": 0.0, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/luna_2a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "Soviet Space Program / RIA Novosti \u2014 Luna 2 spherical impactor model (Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-luna-2", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1959-014A" }, { "id": "nasa-luna-2", "url": "https://science.nasa.gov/mission/luna-2/" } ], "related_missions": [ "luna-1", "luna-3", "ranger-7" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1959-09-12", "event": "Launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome on a direct ascent lunar trajectory." }, { "date": "1959-09-13", "event": "Sodium gas cloud released at 156,000 km altitude for optical tracking from ground observatories." }, { "date": "1959-09-14", "event": "Impacted the Moon at Palus Putredinis at 22:02:24 UTC at ~3.3 km/s, ending transmission on surface contact." } ] }, { "slug": "luna-3", "name": "Luna 3", "org": "Soviet Space Program", "agency_id": "soviet", "agency_full": "Soviet Space Program (USSR)", "country": "Soviet Union", "spacecraft": "Luna E-2A No.1", "year": 1959, "launch_date": "1959-10-04", "landing_date": null, "end_date": "1959-10-22", "color": "#e056fd", "type": "Robotic", "status": "FLYBY", "duration": "18 days active communications", "achievement": "Returned the historic first photographs of the far side of the Moon.", "description": "Luna 3 was launched on the second anniversary of Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1959. Using an onboard Yenisey-2 photographic system, it photographed the unseen far side of the Moon on October 7, 1959, developed the 35mm film automatically inside the probe, and transmitted 29 images back to Earth via television facsimile. The images revealed a rugged, mountainous hemisphere with few maria, fundamentally reshaping lunar science.", "objectives": [ "Fly past the lunar far side and orient camera toward sunlit hemisphere", "Expose, develop, and scan photographic film automatically in space", "Transmit processed far-side imagery back to Soviet tracking stations via radio facsimile" ], "keywords": [ "Luna 3", "Soviet Union", "Far Side of the Moon", "First Far Side Photos", "Yenisey-2 Film System" ], "launch_vehicle": "Luna 8K72", "launch_site": "Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 1/5", "site_id": null, "site_name": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/luna_3a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "Soviet Academy of Sciences \u2014 Historic first photograph of the far side of the Moon, Luna 3, Oct 1959 (Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-luna-3", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1959-008A" }, { "id": "nasa-luna-3", "url": "https://science.nasa.gov/mission/luna-3/" } ], "related_missions": [ "luna-1", "luna-2", "change-4" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1959-10-04", "event": "Launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome into highly elliptical Earth orbit." }, { "date": "1959-10-07", "event": "Photographed far side of Moon from 63,500 km altitude, capturing 70% of the hidden hemisphere." }, { "date": "1959-10-18", "event": "Transmitted clear facsimile images to Soviet radio telescopes as spacecraft returned toward Earth perigee." } ] }, { "slug": "ranger-7", "name": "Ranger 7", "org": "NASA", "agency_id": "nasa", "agency_full": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Ranger Block III (Ranger 7)", "year": 1964, "launch_date": "1964-07-28", "landing_date": "1964-07-31", "end_date": "1964-07-31", "color": "#4fa8d1", "type": "Robotic", "status": "IMPACT", "duration": "68.6 hours", "achievement": "First successful US mission to the Moon; transmitted 4,308 high-resolution close-up television photographs before impact.", "description": "Ranger 7 was the first true success of the US Ranger program. On July 31, 1964, its six television vidicon cameras began transmitting high-quality images 17 minutes before impact, providing views up to 1,000 times sharper than Earth-based telescopes. The target impact area was subsequently named Mare Cognitum ('Known Sea') by the IAU in honor of the mission.", "objectives": [ "Achieve lunar impact trajectory with terminal camera orientation", "Transmit high-resolution close-up TV pictures of lunar terrain down to sub-meter scale", "Determine surface roughness and crater distribution to evaluate Apollo landing feasibility" ], "keywords": [ "Ranger 7", "NASA", "JPL", "Mare Cognitum", "First Close-Up Images", "Apollo Precursor" ], "launch_vehicle": "Atlas LV-3A Agena-B", "launch_site": "Cape Canaveral LC-12", "site_id": null, "site_name": "Mare Cognitum (Ranger 7 Impact Site)", "lat": -10.634, "lon": -20.677, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/ranger_7a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "NASA / JPL \u2014 First close-up television photograph of the Moon transmitted by Ranger 7, July 31, 1964 (NASA / Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-ranger-7", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1964-041A" }, { "id": "jpl-ranger-7", "url": "https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/ranger-7" } ], "related_missions": [ "surveyor-1", "surveyor-3", "apollo-11" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1964-07-28", "event": "Launched from Cape Canaveral LC-12 on an Atlas-Agena booster." }, { "date": "1964-07-29", "event": "Mid-course correction maneuver successfully locked trajectory directly onto target area." }, { "date": "1964-07-31", "event": "Cameras powered on at 13:08 UTC; transmitted 4,308 images until impact at Mare Cognitum at 13:25:48 UTC." } ] }, { "slug": "surveyor-3", "name": "Surveyor 3", "org": "NASA", "agency_id": "nasa", "agency_full": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Surveyor 3", "year": 1967, "launch_date": "1967-04-17", "landing_date": "1967-04-20", "end_date": "1967-05-04", "color": "#4fa8d1", "type": "Robotic", "status": "LANDED", "duration": "14 days on surface (inspected by Apollo 12 in 1969)", "achievement": "First robotic mission to dig into lunar regolith with a motorized soil sampler; later visited on the lunar surface by Apollo 12 astronauts.", "description": "Surveyor 3 landed on April 20, 1967 in a gentle 200-meter crater in Oceanus Procellarum after three soft bounces. It was equipped with a robotic surface sampler scoop that dug trenches up to 17.5 cm deep and performed bearing-strength tests. In November 1969, Apollo 12 landed within 160 meters, allowing astronauts Pete Conrad and Alan Bean to examine the lander and return its camera and mechanical scoop to Earth for analysis.", "objectives": [ "Perform soft landing in Oceanus Procellarum and transmit television photos of the surface", "Operate mechanical surface sampler scoop to dig trenches and measure soil mechanics", "Provide critical engineering data on regolith bearing strength for Apollo lunar module landings" ], "keywords": [ "Surveyor 3", "NASA", "Oceanus Procellarum", "Apollo 12 Visit", "Soil Sampler", "Soft Landing" ], "launch_vehicle": "Atlas-Centaur AC-12", "launch_site": "Cape Canaveral LC-36B", "site_id": "oceanus-procellarum-apollo-12", "site_name": "Oceanus Procellarum (Surveyor Crater)", "lat": -3.0162, "lon": -23.418, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/surveyor_3a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "NASA / Apollo 12 \u2014 Astronaut Pete Conrad inspects Surveyor 3 inside Surveyor Crater, Nov 1969 (NASA / Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-surveyor-3", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1967-035A" }, { "id": "jpl-surveyor-3", "url": "https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/surveyor-3" } ], "related_missions": [ "surveyor-1", "apollo-12", "luna-9" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1967-04-17", "event": "Launched from Cape Canaveral LC-36B aboard Atlas-Centaur." }, { "date": "1967-04-20", "event": "Landed inside Surveyor Crater at Oceanus Procellarum after 3 radar-engine bounces." }, { "date": "1967-05-03", "event": "Completed 6,315 television photos and 18 hours of robotic trench digging before lunar night." }, { "date": "1969-11-20", "event": "Visited on the surface by Apollo 12 astronauts; camera retrieved and returned to Earth." } ] }, { "slug": "lunar-orbiter-1", "name": "Lunar Orbiter 1", "org": "NASA", "agency_id": "nasa", "agency_full": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Lunar Orbiter 1 (LO-A)", "year": 1966, "launch_date": "1966-08-10", "landing_date": "1966-10-29", "end_date": "1966-10-29", "color": "#4fa8d1", "type": "Robotic", "status": "IMPACT", "duration": "80 days in orbit (577 orbits)", "achievement": "First US spacecraft to orbit the Moon; captured the iconic first photograph of Earth from lunar orbit on August 23, 1966.", "description": "Lunar Orbiter 1 was launched on August 10, 1966, becoming the first American spacecraft to enter lunar orbit. It mapped over 5 million square kilometers of the lunar surface to scout landing sites for Apollo and Surveyor missions. On August 23, 1966, it pointed its camera away from the surface to take the world's first photograph of Earth rising above the lunar horizon. It was commanded to impact the lunar far side on October 29, 1966, to prevent radio interference with future orbiters.", "objectives": [ "Enter elliptical lunar orbit and acquire high-resolution photographic coverage of potential Apollo landing sites", "Collect lunar gravitational field and radiation data", "Demonstrate orbital operations and controlled deorbit" ], "keywords": [ "Lunar Orbiter 1", "NASA", "Langley", "First Earthrise", "Apollo Site Selection", "Lunar Orbit" ], "launch_vehicle": "Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D", "launch_site": "Cape Canaveral LC-13", "site_id": null, "site_name": "Lunar Far Side (Commanded Impact)", "lat": 6.35, "lon": 160.72, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/lunar_orbiter_1a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "NASA / Langley Research Center \u2014 Historic first view of Earth from the vicinity of the Moon, Aug 23, 1966 (NASA / Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-lo1", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-073A" }, { "id": "nasa-lo1", "url": "https://science.nasa.gov/mission/lunar-orbiter-1/" } ], "related_missions": [ "apollo-8", "surveyor-1", "apollo-11" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1966-08-10", "event": "Launched from Cape Canaveral LC-13." }, { "date": "1966-08-14", "event": "Entered lunar orbit, becoming the first US spacecraft to orbit the Moon." }, { "date": "1966-08-23", "event": "Captured the historic first photograph of planet Earth from lunar orbit." }, { "date": "1966-10-29", "event": "Commanded to impact the far side on orbit 577 to avoid telemetry conflicts with Lunar Orbiter 2." } ] }, { "slug": "apollo-8", "name": "Apollo 8", "org": "NASA", "agency_id": "nasa", "agency_full": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Command/Service Module CSM-103", "year": 1968, "launch_date": "1968-12-21", "landing_date": null, "end_date": "1968-12-27", "color": "#ffd32a", "type": "Human", "status": "ORBITER", "duration": "6 days, 3 hours (10 lunar orbits)", "achievement": "First crewed spacecraft to leave Earth orbit, reach the Moon, orbit it, and return safely; captured the iconic color Earthrise photograph.", "description": "Apollo 8 launched on December 21, 1968, carrying astronauts Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders. It was the first crewed flight of the Saturn V rocket and the first time humans traveled to the Moon, entering lunar orbit on Christmas Eve, December 24. Anders captured the legendary color 'Earthrise' photo, and the crew read from Genesis during a live television broadcast seen by a quarter of the world's population before successfully returning to Earth on December 27.", "objectives": [ "Demonstrate crewed translunar injection, lunar orbit insertion, and trans-Earth injection", "Perform navigation, communications, and photographic reconnaissance of Apollo landing candidates", "Validate Saturn V launch vehicle and Apollo Command/Service Module systems for lunar flight" ], "keywords": [ "Apollo 8", "NASA", "Frank Borman", "Jim Lovell", "Bill Anders", "Earthrise", "First Crewed Lunar Flight", "Saturn V" ], "launch_vehicle": "Saturn V (SA-503)", "launch_site": "Kennedy Space Center LC-39A", "site_id": null, "site_name": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/apollo_8a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "NASA / Bill Anders \u2014 Apollo 8 Earthrise, photographed from lunar orbit on December 24, 1968 (NASA / Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-apollo-8", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1968-118A" }, { "id": "nasa-apollo-8", "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/mission/apollo-8/" } ], "related_missions": [ "apollo-11", "apollo-12", "lunar-orbiter-1" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1968-12-21", "event": "Launched from Kennedy Space Center LC-39A atop Saturn V; completed first crewed TLI burn." }, { "date": "1968-12-24", "event": "Entered lunar orbit at 09:59 UTC; captured color Earthrise and broadcast Christmas Eve reading." }, { "date": "1968-12-25", "event": "Fired service propulsion engine behind the Moon for Trans-Earth Injection burn." }, { "date": "1968-12-27", "event": "Splashed down safely in the North Pacific Ocean after completing 10 lunar orbits." } ] }, { "slug": "luna-15", "name": "Luna 15", "org": "Soviet Space Program", "agency_id": "soviet", "agency_full": "Soviet Space Program (USSR)", "country": "Soviet Union", "spacecraft": "Luna E-8-5 No.401", "year": 1969, "launch_date": "1969-07-13", "landing_date": "1969-07-21", "end_date": "1969-07-21", "color": "#e056fd", "type": "Robotic", "status": "IMPACT", "duration": "8 days (crashed during Apollo 11 surface stay)", "achievement": "Soviet automated sample-return attempt that orbited the Moon simultaneously with Apollo 11 before impacting Mare Crisium.", "description": "Luna 15 was launched on July 13, 1969, three days before Apollo 11, in a bold Soviet effort to achieve the first automated return of lunar soil samples before the US crew returned. It entered lunar orbit on July 17 and performed orbital adjustments while Apollo 11 landed. On July 21, while Armstrong and Aldrin were still on the lunar surface, Luna 15 fired its retro-rockets for descent but crashed into a mountain slope in Mare Crisium at ~480 km/h.", "objectives": [ "Execute automated soft landing in Mare Crisium", "Drill regolith core sample and seal in return capsule", "Launch ascent stage back to Earth for recovery in the Soviet Union" ], "keywords": [ "Luna 15", "Soviet Union", "Space Race", "Apollo 11 Contemporary", "Sample Return Attempt", "Mare Crisium" ], "launch_vehicle": "Proton-K / Blok D", "launch_site": "Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/24", "site_id": null, "site_name": "Mare Crisium (Luna 15 Impact Site)", "lat": 17.0, "lon": 60.0, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/luna_15a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "Soviet Space Program / Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics \u2014 Luna E-8-5 sample return spacecraft (Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-luna-15", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1969-058A" }, { "id": "nasa-luna-15", "url": "https://science.nasa.gov/mission/luna-15/" } ], "related_missions": [ "apollo-11", "luna-16", "luna-20" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1969-07-13", "event": "Launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard Proton-K rocket." }, { "date": "1969-07-17", "event": "Entered lunar orbit, circling the Moon concurrently with Apollo 11." }, { "date": "1969-07-21", "event": "Deorbit burn initiated; altimeter malfunction caused impact in Mare Crisium at 15:50 UTC." } ] }, { "slug": "hiten", "name": "Hiten (MUSES-A)", "org": "ISAS / JAXA", "agency_id": "jaxa", "agency_full": "Institute of Space and Astronautical Science / JAXA", "country": "Japan", "spacecraft": "MUSES-A (Hiten) & Hagoromo", "year": 1990, "launch_date": "1990-01-24", "landing_date": "1993-04-10", "end_date": "1993-04-10", "color": "#ff6b81", "type": "Robotic", "status": "IMPACT", "duration": "3 years, 2 months in cislunar and lunar orbit", "achievement": "Japan's first lunar probe; first non-US/USSR lunar mission; pioneered low-energy ballistic transfers and lunar aerobraking.", "description": "Hiten (Space Engineering Spacecraft MUSES-A) was launched by Japan's ISAS on January 24, 1990. It placed the Hagoromo subsatellite into lunar orbit, conducted the first aerobraking experiment in Earth's upper atmosphere by a deep-space probe, and used weak stability boundary (low-energy) trajectories to enter lunar orbit in February 1992. Hiten was deliberately crashed into the Moon between Stevinus and Furnerius craters on April 10, 1993.", "objectives": [ "Demonstrate trajectory control technologies for lunar gravity-assist flybys", "Release Hagoromo lunar orbiter subsatellite into circumlunar orbit", "Validate aerobraking in Earth's atmosphere and low-energy orbital capture at the Moon" ], "keywords": [ "Hiten", "MUSES-A", "Hagoromo", "ISAS", "JAXA", "Japan", "Ballistic Capture", "Aerobraking" ], "launch_vehicle": "Mu-3S-II (M-3S-2-5)", "launch_site": "Uchinoura Space Center (Kagoshima)", "site_id": null, "site_name": "Between Stevinus & Furnerius (Hiten Impact)", "lat": -34.3, "lon": 55.6, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/hiten_a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "ISAS / JAXA \u2014 Hiten (MUSES-A) spacecraft model at Sagamihara Campus (JAXA / Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-hiten", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1990-007A" }, { "id": "jaxa-hiten", "url": "https://global.jaxa.jp/projects/sas/muses_a/" } ], "related_missions": [ "kaguya", "smart-1", "clementine" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1990-01-24", "event": "Launched from Kagoshima Space Center aboard Mu-3S-II." }, { "date": "1990-03-19", "event": "Released Hagoromo subsatellite into lunar orbit during first lunar flyby." }, { "date": "1991-04-24", "event": "Demonstrated deep-space aerobraking pass through Earth upper atmosphere at 125 km altitude." }, { "date": "1992-02-15", "event": "Entered temporary lunar orbit via pioneering low-energy ballistic transfer." }, { "date": "1993-04-10", "event": "Commanded to impact the Moon near Stevinus crater at 18:03:25 UTC." } ] }, { "slug": "clementine", "name": "Clementine (DSPSE)", "org": "BMDO / NASA", "agency_id": "nasa", "agency_full": "Ballistic Missile Defense Organization / NASA", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Deep Space Program Science Experiment (DSPSE)", "year": 1994, "launch_date": "1994-01-25", "landing_date": null, "end_date": "1994-05-07", "color": "#4fa8d1", "type": "Robotic", "status": "ORBITER", "duration": "115 days in mission (71 days in lunar orbit)", "achievement": "Captured the first comprehensive digital multispectral global map of the Moon and found first radar evidence of polar ice.", "description": "Clementine (DSPSE) was a joint mission between the US Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) and NASA. Operating in lunar orbit from February to May 1994, it acquired 1.8 million digital images in ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared bands, producing the first global mineralogical and topographic atlas of the Moon. A bistatic radar experiment beamed radio waves into permanently shadowed craters near the lunar south pole, detecting reflections consistent with water ice deposits.", "objectives": [ "Space-qualify lightweight sensors and advanced imaging components in deep space environment", "Perform global multispectral imaging and laser altimetry mapping of the lunar surface", "Search for volatile deposits and water ice in permanently shadowed polar craters" ], "keywords": [ "Clementine", "DSPSE", "BMDO", "NASA", "Multispectral Mapping", "South Pole Water Ice", "LIDAR Altimetry" ], "launch_vehicle": "Titan II (23G-11)", "launch_site": "Vandenberg AFB SLC-4W", "site_id": null, "site_name": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/clementine_a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "BMDO / NASA / NRL \u2014 Clementine spacecraft undergoing integration and test (NASA / Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-clementine", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1994-004A" }, { "id": "nasa-clementine", "url": "https://science.nasa.gov/mission/clementine/" } ], "related_missions": [ "lunar-prospector", "lunar-reconnaissance-orbiter", "lcross" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1994-01-25", "event": "Launched from Vandenberg AFB aboard Titan II rocket." }, { "date": "1994-02-19", "event": "Inserted into polar lunar orbit to begin global mapping campaign." }, { "date": "1994-05-03", "event": "Departed lunar orbit after mapping 99% of the Moon with 1.8 million digital frames." }, { "date": "1994-05-07", "event": "Onboard computer glitch fired thrusters to depletion, precluding planned asteroid Geographos flyby." } ] }, { "slug": "lunar-prospector", "name": "Lunar Prospector", "org": "NASA", "agency_id": "nasa", "agency_full": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Lunar Prospector (Discovery 3)", "year": 1998, "launch_date": "1998-01-07", "landing_date": "1999-07-31", "end_date": "1999-07-31", "color": "#4fa8d1", "type": "Robotic", "status": "IMPACT", "duration": "1 year, 7 months in low lunar orbit", "achievement": "Confirmed significant hydrogen signatures (water ice deposits) at the lunar poles and mapped global mineral composition and gravity.", "description": "Lunar Prospector was NASA's third Discovery mission. Operating in a 100-km circular polar orbit, its neutron spectrometer confirmed large amounts of hydrogen (indicative of water ice) sequestered in permanently shadowed craters at both lunar poles. Its gamma-ray and alpha spectrometers produced global maps of thorium, potassium, iron, and titanium, while tracking data revealed mass concentrations (mascons). On July 31, 1999, it was deliberately impacted into Shoemaker crater at the south pole.", "objectives": [ "Detect and quantify polar hydrogen deposits and identify potential water ice reservoirs", "Map global elemental composition (Fe, Ti, Th, K, U) and surface magnetic fields", "Measure localized lunar gravitational anomalies (mascons) with Doppler tracking" ], "keywords": [ "Lunar Prospector", "NASA", "Discovery Program", "Neutron Spectrometer", "Water Ice", "Shoemaker Crater", "Thorium Map" ], "launch_vehicle": "Athena II (LM-004)", "launch_site": "Cape Canaveral SLC-46", "site_id": null, "site_name": "Shoemaker Crater (Lunar Prospector Impact)", "lat": -88.14, "lon": 45.91, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/lunar_prospector_a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "NASA / Ames Research Center \u2014 Lunar Prospector spacecraft in orbital configuration (NASA / Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-lp", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1998-001A" }, { "id": "nasa-lp", "url": "https://science.nasa.gov/mission/lunar-prospector/" } ], "related_missions": [ "clementine", "lcross", "lunar-reconnaissance-orbiter" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "1998-01-07", "event": "Launched from Cape Canaveral Spaceport SLC-46 aboard Athena II rocket." }, { "date": "1998-01-11", "event": "Captured into polar orbit around the Moon; confirmed polar hydrogen within weeks." }, { "date": "1998-12-19", "event": "Lowered orbit to 40 km altitude (later 30 km) for super-high-resolution mapping." }, { "date": "1999-07-31", "event": "Deliberately impacted permanently shadowed floor of Shoemaker crater at 09:52 UTC." } ] }, { "slug": "smart-1", "name": "SMART-1", "org": "ESA", "agency_id": "esa", "agency_full": "European Space Agency (ESA)", "country": "Europe", "spacecraft": "SMART-1 (Small Missions for Advanced Research in Technology 1)", "year": 2003, "launch_date": "2003-09-27", "landing_date": "2006-09-03", "end_date": "2006-09-03", "color": "#2ed573", "type": "Robotic", "status": "IMPACT", "duration": "2 years, 11 months (16 months in lunar orbit)", "achievement": "First European Space Agency mission to the Moon; pioneered primary solar-electric ion propulsion for lunar spiral transfer.", "description": "SMART-1 was ESA's first lunar mission. Using a PPS-1350 Hall-effect ion engine consuming only 82 kg of xenon gas, it spiraled outward from Earth orbit over 14 months to enter lunar orbit in November 2004. In orbit, it performed X-ray fluorescence mapping of key chemical elements (calcium, silicon, aluminum, iron), photographed polar illumination sites, and ended with a planned grazing impact into Lacus Excellentiae on September 3, 2006, observed in real-time by Earth telescopes.", "objectives": [ "Test and validate solar-electric propulsion (ion engine) for deep space voyages", "Perform elemental mapping of lunar crust with D-CIXS compact X-ray spectrometer", "Map polar lighting conditions to identify peaks of eternal light for future bases" ], "keywords": [ "SMART-1", "ESA", "Europe", "Ion Propulsion", "Xenon Engine", "Lacus Excellentiae", "X-Ray Spectroscopy" ], "launch_vehicle": "Ariane 5G (V-162)", "launch_site": "Guiana Space Centre ELA-3", "site_id": null, "site_name": "Lacus Excellentiae (SMART-1 Impact Site)", "lat": -34.262, "lon": -46.193, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/smart_1a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "ESA \u2014 SMART-1 spacecraft in orbit around the Moon artist concept (ESA / Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-smart-1", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2003-043C" }, { "id": "esa-smart-1", "url": "https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/SMART-1" } ], "related_missions": [ "hiten", "kaguya", "chandrayaan-1" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2003-09-27", "event": "Launched from Kourou, French Guiana aboard Ariane 5 as an auxiliary payload." }, { "date": "2004-11-15", "event": "Captured by lunar gravity at Moon L1 point after spiraling 84 million km using ion thrust." }, { "date": "2005-02-28", "event": "Achieved final operational elliptical polar science orbit (300 x 3,000 km)." }, { "date": "2006-09-03", "event": "Commanded grazing impact into Lacus Excellentiae at 05:42:22 UTC at 2 km/s, observed by CFHT." } ] }, { "slug": "kaguya", "name": "Kaguya (SELENE)", "org": "JAXA", "agency_id": "jaxa", "agency_full": "Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)", "country": "Japan", "spacecraft": "SELENE (Kaguya), Okina (Rstar) & Ouna (Vstar)", "year": 2007, "launch_date": "2007-09-14", "landing_date": "2009-06-10", "end_date": "2009-06-10", "color": "#ff6b81", "type": "Robotic", "status": "IMPACT", "duration": "1 year, 8 months in lunar orbit", "achievement": "Japan's major lunar exploration mission; produced the first high-definition television broadcasts from lunar orbit and comprehensive global topography and gravity models.", "description": "Kaguya (SELENE) was Japan's second lunar probe and the most complex lunar exploration mission since Apollo. Launched with two subsatellites (Okina and Ouna), it carried 15 science instruments including twin NHK HDTV cameras that beamed back iconic high-definition video of the Moon and Earthrise. Its laser altimeter mapped global topography with 5-meter vertical precision, its radar sounded the subsurface crust, and its relay satellites mapped the far-side gravity field for the first time.", "objectives": [ "Obtain global scientific data on lunar origin, geological evolution, and elemental composition", "Map far-side gravity field and global topography with dual subsatellite Doppler tracking and laser altimetry", "Capture first high-definition HDTV broadcasts of lunar surface and Earthrise from lunar orbit" ], "keywords": [ "Kaguya", "SELENE", "JAXA", "NHK HDTV", "Earthrise HD", "Okina", "Ouna", "Global Topography", "Lava Tubes" ], "launch_vehicle": "H-IIA 2022 (F13)", "launch_site": "Tanegashima Space Center LA-Y1", "site_id": null, "site_name": "Near Gill Crater (Kaguya Impact)", "lat": -65.5, "lon": 80.4, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/kaguya_a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "JAXA / NHK \u2014 SELENE (Kaguya) spacecraft in lunar orbit illustration (JAXA / Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-kaguya", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2007-039A" }, { "id": "jaxa-kaguya", "url": "https://global.jaxa.jp/projects/sas/selene/" } ], "related_missions": [ "hiten", "chandrayaan-1", "change-1", "slim" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2007-09-14", "event": "Launched from Tanegashima Space Center aboard H-IIA 2022 rocket." }, { "date": "2007-10-04", "event": "Inserted into lunar polar orbit; released relay satellite Okina and VLBI satellite Ouna." }, { "date": "2007-11-07", "event": "Broadcast first historic high-definition television video of Earthrise from lunar orbit." }, { "date": "2009-06-10", "event": "Deliberately impacted near Gill crater on southeastern near side at 18:25 UTC." } ] }, { "slug": "change-1", "name": "Chang'e 1", "org": "CNSA", "agency_id": "cnsa", "agency_full": "China National Space Administration (CNSA)", "country": "China", "spacecraft": "Chang'e 1", "year": 2007, "launch_date": "2007-10-24", "landing_date": "2009-03-01", "end_date": "2009-03-01", "color": "#ff4757", "type": "Robotic", "status": "IMPACT", "duration": "1 year, 4 months in lunar orbit", "achievement": "China's first lunar mission; produced complete 3D digital map of the Moon and pioneered microwave radiometer depth sensing.", "description": "Chang'e 1 inaugurated Phase 1 of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Program (CLEP). Launched on October 24, 2007, it entered a 200-km circular polar orbit and mapped the entire lunar surface using a stereo camera and laser altimeter, creating an accurate 3D global digital elevation model. It also carried the first multi-channel microwave radiometer on a lunar probe to estimate regolith thickness and helium-3 distribution. It ended with a controlled impact in Mare Fecunditatis on March 1, 2009.", "objectives": [ "Acquire three-dimensional stereo images of the entire lunar surface", "Map distribution and abundance of 14 useful chemical elements and minerals", "Probe regolith thickness and evaluate microwave thermal characteristics" ], "keywords": [ "Chang'e 1", "CNSA", "CLEP", "China First Lunar Probe", "3D Lunar Map", "Microwave Radiometer", "Mare Fecunditatis" ], "launch_vehicle": "Long March 3A (Y14)", "launch_site": "Xichang Satellite Launch Center LC-3", "site_id": null, "site_name": "Northern Mare Fecunditatis (Chang'e 1 Impact)", "lat": -1.66, "lon": 52.27, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/change_1a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "CNSA / Chinese Space Agency \u2014 Chang'e 1 lunar orbiter full-scale exhibition model (Public Domain / CC)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-change-1", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2007-051A" }, { "id": "cnsa-change-1", "url": "http://www.cnsa.gov.cn" } ], "related_missions": [ "change-3", "change-4", "change-5", "change-6", "change-7" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2007-10-24", "event": "Launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center aboard Long March 3A." }, { "date": "2007-11-05", "event": "Inserted into 200-km circular polar lunar orbit." }, { "date": "2007-11-20", "event": "First official lunar image released; complete global 3D model published in 2008." }, { "date": "2009-03-01", "event": "Controlled deorbit burn executed; impacted Mare Fecunditatis at 07:13:10 UTC." } ] }, { "slug": "chandrayaan-1", "name": "Chandrayaan-1", "org": "ISRO", "agency_id": "isro", "agency_full": "Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)", "country": "India", "spacecraft": "Chandrayaan-1 & Moon Impact Probe (MIP)", "year": 2008, "launch_date": "2008-10-22", "landing_date": "2008-11-14", "end_date": "2009-08-29", "color": "#ffa502", "type": "Robotic", "status": "IMPACT", "duration": "312 days in orbit (MIP impacted Nov 14, 2008)", "achievement": "India's first lunar mission; its Moon Impact Probe impacted Jawahar Point and Moon Mineralogy Mapper confirmed widespread water molecules on the Moon.", "description": "Chandrayaan-1 was India's historic first deep space mission. Operating 11 scientific payloads from ISRO, NASA, and ESA, it carried the Moon Impact Probe (MIP) which separated on November 14, 2008, striking the lunar south pole near Shackleton crater (named Jawahar Point). The NASA Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) aboard confirmed the widespread presence of hydroxyl and water molecules across the lunar regolith, overturning decades of assumptions that the Moon was bone-dry.", "objectives": [ "Search for surface and subsurface water ice, particularly in permanently shadowed polar craters", "Execute Moon Impact Probe (MIP) release and telemetry transmission down to impact", "Perform high-resolution chemical and mineralogical mapping of the entire lunar surface" ], "keywords": [ "Chandrayaan-1", "ISRO", "India", "Moon Impact Probe", "Jawahar Point", "M3 Water Discovery", "PSLV-XL" ], "launch_vehicle": "PSLV-XL (C11)", "launch_site": "Satish Dhawan Space Centre SLP", "site_id": null, "site_name": "Jawahar Point (Shackleton Connecting Ridge)", "lat": -89.55, "lon": -122.93, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/chandrayaan_1a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "ISRO \u2014 Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft model during pre-flight preparation (ISRO / Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-chandrayaan-1", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2008-052A" }, { "id": "isro-chandrayaan-1", "url": "https://www.isro.gov.in/Chandrayaan_1.html" } ], "related_missions": [ "chandrayaan-2", "chandrayaan-3", "lcross" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2008-10-22", "event": "Launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre Sriharikota aboard PSLV-C11." }, { "date": "2008-11-08", "event": "Inserted into polar lunar orbit at 100 km altitude." }, { "date": "2008-11-14", "event": "Moon Impact Probe (MIP) separated and struck Jawahar Point at 89.55\u00b0S, detecting water vapor in transit." }, { "date": "2009-09-24", "event": "Science team and NASA formally announced confirmed discovery of water molecules on the Moon." } ] }, { "slug": "lunar-reconnaissance-orbiter", "name": "Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)", "org": "NASA", "agency_id": "nasa", "agency_full": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)", "year": 2009, "launch_date": "2009-06-18", "landing_date": null, "end_date": null, "color": "#4fa8d1", "type": "Robotic", "status": "ORBITER", "duration": "15+ years in lunar orbit (Active)", "achievement": "NASA's premier active lunar orbiter; created the highest-resolution global topographic and photographic atlas of the Moon.", "description": "The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) launched on June 18, 2009, and remains the cornerstone of modern lunar exploration. Operating seven sophisticated instruments including the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) and Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA), LRO has returned petabytes of data: sub-meter images resolving Apollo lunar lander descent stages and astronaut tracks, thermal maps showing the coldest spots in the solar system (-248\u00b0C), and 3D terrain models used for Artemis landing site selection.", "objectives": [ "Characterize lunar radiation environment, thermal conditions, and illumination at polar regions", "Generate ultra-precise global geodetic grid and sub-meter imagery of high-priority sites", "Identify resource deposits (volatiles, water ice) and assess safe landing hazards for Artemis" ], "keywords": [ "LRO", "NASA", "LROC", "LOLA", "Diviner", "Active Orbiter", "Apollo Landing Sites", "Artemis Scouting" ], "launch_vehicle": "Atlas V 401 (AV-020)", "launch_site": "Cape Canaveral SLC-41", "site_id": null, "site_name": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/lro_a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "NASA / Goddard Space Flight Center \u2014 Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter in orbit around the Moon (NASA / Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-lro", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2009-031A" }, { "id": "nasa-lro", "url": "https://science.nasa.gov/mission/lro/" }, { "id": "lroc-asu", "url": "https://lroc.sese.asu.edu/" } ], "related_missions": [ "lcross", "apollo-11", "danuri", "artemis-1" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2009-06-18", "event": "Launched from Cape Canaveral SLC-41 co-manifested with LCROSS on Atlas V." }, { "date": "2009-06-23", "event": "Inserted into 50-km circular polar lunar orbit." }, { "date": "2009-07-17", "event": "LROC released first stunning high-resolution images of Apollo 11, 14, 15, 16, and 17 sites." }, { "date": "2024-06-18", "event": "Celebrated 15 consecutive years of continuous active lunar mapping and mission support." } ] }, { "slug": "lcross", "name": "LCROSS", "org": "NASA", "agency_id": "nasa", "agency_full": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite", "year": 2009, "launch_date": "2009-06-18", "landing_date": "2009-10-09", "end_date": "2009-10-09", "color": "#4fa8d1", "type": "Robotic", "status": "IMPACT", "duration": "113 days", "achievement": "Definitively confirmed the existence of pure water ice and volatiles in permanently shadowed regions of Cabeus crater.", "description": "LCROSS (Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite) launched with LRO on June 18, 2009. On October 9, 2009, its spent 2,300-kg Centaur upper stage was guided into a high-speed (9,000 km/h) kinetic impact inside the permanently shadowed region of Cabeus crater at the lunar south pole. The trailing Shepherding Spacecraft flew through the 10-km ejecta plume, measuring near-infrared and ultraviolet absorption spectra that proved the existence of water ice (approx. 5.6% by mass) along with hydrocarbons, ammonia, and CO2, before impacting four minutes later.", "objectives": [ "Direct kinetic impact of Centaur rocket body into permanently shadowed Cabeus crater floor", "Analyze excavated ejecta plume with 9 spectrometers and cameras during a 4-minute descent", "Confirm concentration and chemical identity of water ice and volatile species in polar cold traps" ], "keywords": [ "LCROSS", "NASA", "Ames", "Cabeus Crater", "Water Ice Confirmed", "Centaur Kinetic Impactor", "South Pole" ], "launch_vehicle": "Atlas V 401 (AV-020)", "launch_site": "Cape Canaveral SLC-41", "site_id": null, "site_name": "Cabeus Crater Floor (LCROSS Impact Site)", "lat": -84.678, "lon": -48.693, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/lcross_a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "NASA / Ames Research Center \u2014 LCROSS spacecraft separating from Centaur impactor (NASA / Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-lcross", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2009-031B" }, { "id": "nasa-lcross", "url": "https://science.nasa.gov/mission/lcross/" } ], "related_missions": [ "lunar-reconnaissance-orbiter", "chandrayaan-1", "lunar-prospector" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2009-06-18", "event": "Launched from Cape Canaveral SLC-41 aboard Atlas V rocket." }, { "date": "2009-06-23", "event": "Lunar gravity assist placed spacecraft into a 37-day polar Earth orbit inclined to lunar plane." }, { "date": "2009-10-09", "event": "Centaur impacted Cabeus crater at 11:31:19 UTC; Shepherding Spacecraft analyzed plume and impacted at 11:35:36 UTC." }, { "date": "2009-11-13", "event": "NASA officially announced discovery of significant water ice deposits in the Cabeus ejecta cloud." } ] }, { "slug": "grail", "name": "GRAIL (Ebb & Flow)", "org": "NASA", "agency_id": "nasa", "agency_full": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "GRAIL-A (Ebb) and GRAIL-B (Flow)", "year": 2011, "launch_date": "2011-09-10", "landing_date": "2012-12-17", "end_date": "2012-12-17", "color": "#4fa8d1", "type": "Robotic", "status": "IMPACT", "duration": "1 year, 3 months (twin spacecraft in tandem orbit)", "achievement": "Constructed the highest-resolution gravitational map of the Moon, revealing internal crustal fractures and subsurface structures.", "description": "GRAIL (Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory) comprised twin spacecraft named Ebb and Flow. Flying in precise tandem at altitudes as low as 23 km, their Ka-band Lunar Gravity Ranging System measured micron-scale distance variations caused by gravitational anomalies. The resulting gravity field map revealed that the lunar crust is thinner and far more intensely fractured by ancient impacts than previously thought. On December 17, 2012, both probes impacted an unnamed ridge near Goldschmidt crater, named the Sally K. Ride Impact Site.", "objectives": [ "Map high-resolution lunar gravity field with unprecedented spherical harmonic fidelity", "Determine internal structure, crustal thickness, and core size of the Moon", "Investigate thermal evolution and structural impact history of large impact basins" ], "keywords": [ "GRAIL", "Ebb and Flow", "NASA", "JPL", "Gravity Map", "Sally Ride Impact Site", "Lunar Crust" ], "launch_vehicle": "Delta II Heavy (7920H-10C)", "launch_site": "Cape Canaveral SLC-17B", "site_id": null, "site_name": "Sally K. Ride Impact Site (Goldschmidt Massif)", "lat": 75.609, "lon": -26.593, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/grail_a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "NASA / JPL-Caltech \u2014 GRAIL twin spacecraft (Ebb and Flow) mapping lunar gravity field (NASA / Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-grail-a", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2011-046A" }, { "id": "nasa-grail", "url": "https://science.nasa.gov/mission/grail/" } ], "related_missions": [ "lunar-reconnaissance-orbiter", "lunar-prospector", "ladee" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2011-09-10", "event": "Launched from Cape Canaveral SLC-17B on the final flight from this historic pad." }, { "date": "2011-12-31", "event": "GRAIL-A inserted into lunar orbit; GRAIL-B followed on January 1, 2012." }, { "date": "2012-03-01", "event": "Primary science mapping phase began in 55-km circular polar orbit." }, { "date": "2012-12-17", "event": "Controlled impact onto a 2.5-km-high massif near Goldschmidt crater at 22:28 UTC (Sally Ride Site)." } ] }, { "slug": "ladee", "name": "LADEE", "org": "NASA", "agency_id": "nasa", "agency_full": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer", "year": 2013, "launch_date": "2013-09-07", "landing_date": "2014-04-18", "end_date": "2014-04-18", "color": "#4fa8d1", "type": "Robotic", "status": "IMPACT", "duration": "7 months in ultra-low lunar orbit", "achievement": "Analyzed tenuous lunar exosphere and electrostatically lofted dust; demonstrated high-speed optical laser space communications (622 Mbps).", "description": "LADEE (Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer) was launched on September 7, 2013, from NASA Wallops Flight Facility aboard a Minotaur V rocket. Orbiting just 20 to 60 km above the lunar surface, its neutral mass spectrometer, ultraviolet spectrometer, and dust counter characterized the tenuous lunar exospheric gases (helium, argon, neon) and investigated electrostatic dust levitation. It also demonstrated the Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration (LLCD), achieving record 622 Mbps downloads from lunar orbit before crashing into Sundman V crater on April 18, 2014.", "objectives": [ "Determine global density, composition, and temporal variability of the fragile lunar atmosphere", "Measure dust size, charge, and density to verify if dust levitation causes lunar horizon glow", "Demonstrate high-rate space laser communications via pulsed infrared beam to Earth stations" ], "keywords": [ "LADEE", "NASA", "Ames", "Wallops", "Exosphere", "Lunar Dust", "LLCD Laser Comm", "Sundman V Crater" ], "launch_vehicle": "Minotaur V", "launch_site": "Wallops Flight Facility MARS Pad 0B", "site_id": null, "site_name": "Sundman V Crater Rim (LADEE Impact)", "lat": 11.849, "lon": -93.249, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/ladee_a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "NASA / Ames Research Center \u2014 LADEE spacecraft in lunar orbit (NASA / Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-ladee", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2013-047A" }, { "id": "nasa-ladee", "url": "https://science.nasa.gov/mission/ladee/" } ], "related_missions": [ "lunar-reconnaissance-orbiter", "grail", "change-3" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2013-09-07", "event": "Launched from Wallops Island MARS Pad 0B aboard maiden flight of Minotaur V." }, { "date": "2013-10-06", "event": "Entered lunar orbit; achieved record 622 Mbps laser communication download to Earth." }, { "date": "2013-11-20", "event": "Lowered orbit to 20-60 km science orbit to sample exosphere and dust levitation." }, { "date": "2014-04-18", "event": "Impacted the eastern rim of Sundman V crater on the lunar far side at 04:30 UTC." } ] }, { "slug": "beresheet", "name": "Beresheet", "org": "SpaceIL / IAI", "agency_id": "spaceil", "agency_full": "SpaceIL / Israel Aerospace Industries", "country": "Israel", "spacecraft": "Beresheet Lunar Lander", "year": 2019, "launch_date": "2019-02-22", "landing_date": "2019-04-11", "end_date": "2019-04-11", "color": "#70a1ff", "type": "Robotic", "status": "IMPACT", "duration": "48 days (crashed during terminal descent)", "achievement": "First privately funded mission to reach lunar orbit and attempt a lunar soft landing.", "description": "Beresheet ('In the beginning') was developed by Israeli non-profit SpaceIL and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), originating as a Google Lunar X Prize competitor. Launched as a rideshare payload on a Falcon 9, it successfully entered lunar orbit on April 4, 2019, making Israel the 7th nation to orbit the Moon. During terminal descent to Mare Serenitatis on April 11, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) failure triggered a main engine shutdown; telemetry was lost at ~150 meters altitude as the craft impacted the surface at high speed.", "objectives": [ "Execute low-cost private lunar orbital insertion and soft landing", "Measure local magnetic fields with SpaceIL magnetometer to study crustal magnetism", "Carry lunar time capsule and laser retroreflector array provided by NASA" ], "keywords": [ "Beresheet", "SpaceIL", "Israel", "IAI", "Private Lunar Lander", "Google Lunar XPRIZE", "Mare Serenitatis" ], "launch_vehicle": "Falcon 9 Block 5 (B1048.3)", "launch_site": "Cape Canaveral SLC-40", "site_id": null, "site_name": "Mare Serenitatis (Beresheet Impact Site)", "lat": 32.596, "lon": 19.35, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/beresheet_a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "SpaceIL / Israel Aerospace Industries \u2014 Beresheet lunar lander model (CC BY-SA 4.0 / Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-beresheet", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2019-009B" }, { "id": "nasa-beresheet", "url": "https://science.nasa.gov/mission/beresheet/" } ], "related_missions": [ "chandrayaan-2", "hakuto-r-mission-1", "im-1-odysseus" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2019-02-22", "event": "Launched from Cape Canaveral SLC-40 aboard Falcon 9 as secondary payload." }, { "date": "2019-04-04", "event": "Executed lunar orbit insertion, making Israel the 7th nation to place a probe in lunar orbit." }, { "date": "2019-04-11", "event": "Initiated landing descent; engine failure at ~14 km altitude led to impact in Mare Serenitatis at 19:23 UTC." } ] }, { "slug": "chandrayaan-2", "name": "Chandrayaan-2", "org": "ISRO", "agency_id": "isro", "agency_full": "Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)", "country": "India", "spacecraft": "Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter, Vikram Lander & Pragyan Rover", "year": 2019, "launch_date": "2019-07-22", "landing_date": "2019-09-06", "end_date": null, "color": "#ffa502", "type": "Robotic", "status": "IMPACT", "duration": "Orbiter active in lunar orbit (5+ years); Vikram lander impacted Sept 6, 2019", "achievement": "High-resolution orbiter continuously operating around the Moon; demonstrated advanced guidance prior to Vikram lander hard impact.", "description": "Chandrayaan-2 was launched on July 22, 2019, carrying an advanced Orbiter, the Vikram lander, and the Pragyan rover. The orbiter entered a 100-km polar orbit and continues to operate 8 state-of-the-art instruments, including the highest-resolution optical camera (OHRC at 25 cm) currently orbiting the Moon. During landing on September 6, 2019, the Vikram lander deviated from its trajectory during final braking and hard-impacted 2.1 km from its target between Manzinus C and Simpelius N craters.", "objectives": [ "Operate advanced high-resolution orbiter to map mineralogy, elemental abundance, and polar ice", "Attempt soft landing of Vikram lander near the south polar region (70.9\u00b0S)", "Deploy Pragyan rover to analyze in-situ chemical composition of the lunar regolith" ], "keywords": [ "Chandrayaan-2", "ISRO", "India", "Vikram Lander", "Pragyan Rover", "OHRC Camera", "GSLV Mk III" ], "launch_vehicle": "GSLV Mk III M1 (LVM3-M1)", "launch_site": "Satish Dhawan Space Centre SLP", "site_id": null, "site_name": "Between Manzinus C & Simpelius N (Vikram Impact)", "lat": -70.881, "lon": 22.784, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/chandrayaan_2a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "ISRO \u2014 Chandrayaan-2 integrated spacecraft cleanroom photograph (ISRO / Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-chandrayaan-2", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2019-042A" }, { "id": "isro-chandrayaan-2", "url": "https://www.isro.gov.in/Chandrayaan_2.html" } ], "related_missions": [ "chandrayaan-1", "chandrayaan-3", "lunar-reconnaissance-orbiter" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2019-07-22", "event": "Launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre aboard GSLV Mk III M1." }, { "date": "2019-08-20", "event": "Inserted into polar lunar orbit; Vikram lander separated on September 2." }, { "date": "2019-09-06", "event": "Vikram initiated powered descent; lost communications at 2.1 km altitude and impacted surface at 20:23 UTC." }, { "date": "2019-12-02", "event": "LRO team and Shanmuga Subramanian located Vikram impact site and debris field." } ] }, { "slug": "danuri", "name": "Danuri (KPLO)", "org": "KARI", "agency_id": "kari", "agency_full": "Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI)", "country": "South Korea", "spacecraft": "Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO)", "year": 2022, "launch_date": "2022-08-04", "landing_date": null, "end_date": null, "color": "#1e90ff", "type": "Robotic", "status": "ORBITER", "duration": "2+ years in lunar orbit (Active)", "achievement": "South Korea's first lunar mission; operates NASA ShadowCam to image permanently shadowed polar craters with 200x optical sensitivity.", "description": "Danuri (a blend of 'dal' for moon and 'nurida' for enjoy) is South Korea's first deep space probe. Launched on August 4, 2022, it used a ballistic lunar transfer (BLT) via Sun-Earth L1 to conserve fuel, entering a 100-km circular polar lunar orbit in December 2022. It carries six instruments, including the Korean Lunar Terrain Imager (LUTI), a wide-angle polarimetric camera (PolCam), a magnetometer, and NASA's ShadowCam\u2014which images shadowed polar craters using starlight and Earthshine to find exposed water ice for Artemis missions.", "objectives": [ "Develop foundational core technologies for deep space exploration and lunar telecommunications", "Generate high-resolution polarimetric and topographic maps of candidate future landing sites", "Operate NASA ShadowCam to inspect permanently shadowed regions at 200 times higher sensitivity than LROC" ], "keywords": [ "Danuri", "KPLO", "KARI", "South Korea", "ShadowCam", "Ballistic Lunar Transfer", "Artemis Partner" ], "launch_vehicle": "Falcon 9 Block 5 (B1052.6)", "launch_site": "Cape Canaveral SLC-40", "site_id": null, "site_name": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/danuri_a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "KARI \u2014 Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (Danuri) display model (KARI / Public Domain / CC)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-danuri", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2022-094A" }, { "id": "kari-danuri", "url": "https://www.kari.re.kr/eng/sub03_07_01.do" }, { "id": "nasa-shadowcam", "url": "https://shadowcam.sese.asu.edu/" } ], "related_missions": [ "lunar-reconnaissance-orbiter", "artemis-1", "chandrayaan-3" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2022-08-04", "event": "Launched from Cape Canaveral SLC-40 aboard Falcon 9 on a 4.5-month ballistic transfer." }, { "date": "2022-12-16", "event": "Captured into lunar orbit after completing final lunar trajectory burn." }, { "date": "2022-12-28", "event": "Achieved mission operational circular polar orbit at 100 km altitude." }, { "date": "2023-01-12", "event": "ShadowCam released first stunning images of permanently shadowed interior of Shackleton crater." } ] }, { "slug": "artemis-1", "name": "Artemis I", "org": "NASA", "agency_id": "nasa", "agency_full": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Orion Spacecraft (CM-002 / ESM-1)", "year": 2022, "launch_date": "2022-11-16", "landing_date": null, "end_date": "2022-12-11", "color": "#ffd32a", "type": "Robotic", "status": "ORBITER", "duration": "25 days, 10 hours (returned to Earth splashdown)", "achievement": "Uncrewed maiden test flight of Space Launch System and Orion; set record for farthest distance from Earth by a human-rated spacecraft (432,210 km).", "description": "Artemis I was the inaugural integrated test flight of NASA's Artemis program, launching the Space Launch System (SLS) super heavy-lift rocket and Orion spacecraft on November 16, 2022. Orion flew within 130 km of the lunar surface before entering a Distant Retrograde Orbit (DRO) around the Moon, traveling 432,210 km from Earth. The spacecraft successfully tested deep space navigation, communications, thermal systems, and survived a record 40,000 km/h skip atmospheric reentry on December 11, 2022.", "objectives": [ "Demonstrate SLS launch vehicle performance and translunar injection accuracy", "Validate Orion heat shield integrity and aerodynamic skip reentry at lunar return velocity (Mach 32)", "Operate Orion systems in deep space Distant Retrograde Orbit and deploy 10 CubeSat payloads" ], "keywords": [ "Artemis I", "NASA", "SLS", "Orion", "Distant Retrograde Orbit", "Skip Reentry", "Artemis Program" ], "launch_vehicle": "Space Launch System (SLS Block 1)", "launch_site": "Kennedy Space Center LC-39B", "site_id": null, "site_name": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/artemis_1a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "NASA \u2014 Orion spacecraft camera view during Artemis I lunar orbit mission, Nov 2022 (NASA / Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-artemis-1", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2022-156A" }, { "id": "nasa-artemis-1", "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-i/" } ], "related_missions": [ "apollo-8", "artemis-2", "lunar-reconnaissance-orbiter" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2022-11-16", "event": "Launched from Kennedy Space Center LC-39B atop the SLS rocket at 06:47 UTC." }, { "date": "2022-11-21", "event": "Completed close lunar flyby (130 km altitude) to enter distant retrograde orbit." }, { "date": "2022-11-28", "event": "Reached maximum distance from Earth: 432,210 km, breaking Apollo 13 record." }, { "date": "2022-12-11", "event": "Successfully executed skip atmospheric reentry and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off Baja California." } ] }, { "slug": "peregrine-mission-1", "name": "Peregrine Mission 1", "org": "Astrobotic / NASA", "agency_id": "astrobotic", "agency_full": "Astrobotic Technology / NASA CLPS", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Peregrine Lunar Lander (Mission One)", "year": 2024, "launch_date": "2024-01-08", "landing_date": null, "end_date": "2024-01-18", "color": "#a4b0be", "type": "Robotic", "status": "ABORTED", "duration": "10 days in cislunar space (controlled Earth reentry)", "achievement": "First mission of NASA's CLPS program; operated 5 NASA science payloads in cislunar space after propulsion failure aborted landing.", "description": "Peregrine Mission 1 was the inaugural launch of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, flying aboard the maiden launch of the ULA Vulcan Centaur rocket on January 8, 2024. Shortly after spacecraft separation, a valve failure caused helium overpressurization and ruptured an oxidizer tank, creating a severe propellant leak. Astrobotic stabilized the spacecraft with attitude thrusters, powering and collecting data from all active NASA and commercial payloads for over 10 days before safely directing it into Earth's upper atmosphere over the South Pacific on January 18.", "objectives": [ "Target soft landing at Gruithuisen Domes (Sinus Iridum / Oceanus Procellarum boundary)", "Operate 5 NASA CLPS instruments to study lunar exosphere, volatiles, and surface radiation", "Deploy commercial micro-rovers and international cultural payloads" ], "keywords": [ "Peregrine", "Astrobotic", "NASA CLPS", "Vulcan Centaur", "Gruithuisen Domes", "Commercial Lunar", "Aborted Mission" ], "launch_vehicle": "Vulcan Centaur (VC2S)", "launch_site": "Cape Canaveral SLC-41", "site_id": null, "site_name": "Gruithuisen Domes (Intended Target)", "lat": null, "lon": null, "target_lat": 36.3, "target_lon": -39.9, "images": [ "images/peregrine_1a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "Astrobotic / NASA \u2014 Peregrine Lunar Lander in cleanroom assembly before launch (NASA / Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nssdc-peregrine", "url": "https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2024-006A" }, { "id": "nasa-clps-peregrine", "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/commercial-lunar-payload-services/" } ], "related_missions": [ "im-1-odysseus", "blue-ghost", "im-2-athena" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2024-01-08", "event": "Launched from Cape Canaveral SLC-41 aboard the maiden flight of the Vulcan Centaur rocket." }, { "date": "2024-01-08", "event": "Propulsion oxidizer tank rupture detected shortly after separation, ruling out a lunar landing attempt." }, { "date": "2024-01-11", "event": "All 10 powered payloads successfully activated and returned science measurements from cislunar space." }, { "date": "2024-01-18", "event": "Controlled destructive atmospheric reentry over the South Pacific Ocean at 20:59 UTC." } ] }, { "slug": "artemis-2", "name": "Artemis II", "org": "NASA", "agency_id": "nasa", "agency_full": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)", "country": "United States", "spacecraft": "Orion Spacecraft (CM-003 / ESM-2)", "year": 2025, "launch_date": "2025-09-01", "landing_date": null, "end_date": null, "color": "#ffd32a", "type": "Human", "status": "PLANNED", "duration": "10 days planned (Crewed lunar flyby)", "achievement": "First crewed flight of NASA's Artemis program and the first crewed lunar mission since Apollo 17 in 1972.", "description": "Artemis II will carry a crew of four astronauts\u2014Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch (NASA), and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen (CSA)\u2014on a 10-day lunar free-return trajectory. The mission will test Orion's life support systems with humans aboard, validate proximity operations around the spent SLS upper stage in high Earth orbit, and fly around the far side of the Moon at an altitude of approximately 7,400 km before returning to Earth splashdown.", "objectives": [ "Demonstrate Orion life support, crew interfaces, and manual flying qualities with human crew", "Perform proximity operations demonstration with SLS Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS)", "Complete crewed lunar free-return flyby trajectory and high-velocity skip atmospheric entry" ], "keywords": [ "Artemis II", "NASA", "CSA", "Reid Wiseman", "Victor Glover", "Christina Koch", "Jeremy Hansen", "Crewed Lunar Flyby", "SLS" ], "launch_vehicle": "Space Launch System (SLS Block 1)", "launch_site": "Kennedy Space Center LC-39B", "site_id": null, "site_name": null, "lat": null, "lon": null, "target_lat": null, "target_lon": null, "images": [ "images/artemis_2a.jpg" ], "image_credits": [ "NASA \u2014 Artemis II crew portrait: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen (NASA / Public Domain)" ], "sources": [ { "id": "nasa-artemis-2", "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/mission/artemis-ii/" }, { "id": "csa-artemis-2", "url": "https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronomy/moon-exploration/artemis-2.asp" } ], "related_missions": [ "artemis-1", "apollo-8", "apollo-11" ], "timeline_events": [ { "date": "2023-04-03", "event": "NASA and CSA officially announced the four-astronaut crew in Houston, Texas." }, { "date": "2024-05-15", "event": "Orion spacecraft altitude and vacuum chamber testing completed at Kennedy Space Center." }, { "date": "2025-09-01", "event": "Target launch window for crewed lunar free-return flyby mission from LC-39B." } ] } ]