On 12 September 1959, the Soviet Union launched Luna 2. It became the first spacecraft to reach the surface of the Moon. Also, it was the first man-made object that made contact with another celestial body.
It was the sixth spacecraft of the Soviet Union’s Luna Programme and was nicknamed Lunik 2. The other missions that either failed to launch or did not show good results were left unnamed. Luna 2 had a design similar to that of Luna 1. The spacecraft was spherical in shape and had antennas that projected outwards. The mission was not only a success; it also challenged the spacecraft technology of the Americans.
Picture Credit : Google
