Luna 18
Luna 18 was a Soviet robotic lunar sample-return attempt. It reached lunar orbit and began a descent toward Mare Fecunditatis, but contact ended at the planned landing time and the spacecraft was lost in rugged terrain.
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Identity
- Aliases
- Luna-18Ye-8-5 No. 4071971-073A
- Name
- Luna 18
- Status
- failed
Details
- Astronauts
- -
- Description
- Luna 18 was a Soviet robotic lunar sample-return attempt. It reached lunar orbit and began a descent toward Mare Fecunditatis, but contact ended at the planned landing time and the spacecraft was lost in rugged terrain.
- Destination
- Mare Fecunditatis, Moon; failed robotic lunar sample-return attempt after contact was lost during descent toward the planned landing site
- End Date
- 1971-09-11
- Launch Site
- Outcome
- Failed during lunar landing. Contact was lost on September 11, 1971, before any sample could be collected or returned.
- Programs
- Start Date
- 1971-09-02
- Vehicle Families
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- July 18, 2026 at 11:44:13 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 21, 2026 at 16:23:57 UTC
Other
- Affiliations
- Search Name
- Luna 18 Luna-18 Ye-8-5 No. 407 1971-073A
- Space Stations
- -
- Vehicles