Le Monnier Crater (Mare Serenitatis)

What Happened Here?

Landing site of Luna 21, January 15, 1973. Lunokhod 2 rover operated here for 4 months, travelling ~42 km.

Region Overview

Large lunar mare. Apollo 17 landed near its southeastern edge in Taurus–Littrow. Luna 21 landed in Le Monnier crater on its eastern margin.

Missions Associated with this Site

• Luna 21 (1973) · USSR LANDED
  Confirmed landing. Deployed Lunokhod 2 — farthest-travelling rover of its era

Historical Timeline

• 1973-01-08 — Launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome (Luna 21)
• 1973-01-15 — Lands at Le Monnier crater; Lunokhod 2 deployed (Luna 21)
• 1973-01-15 — Lunokhod 2 begins surface operations (Luna 21)
• 1973-05-11 — Last contact — 42 km travelled, lunar distance record for decades (Luna 21)

Site Imagery & Gallery

Scientific References & Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_21
• https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1973-001A

Explore Le Monnier Crater (Mare Serenitatis) in 3D

Interactive 3D Moon atlas with terrain model, spacecraft markers, and historical site stories.