Luna 1958B

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Luna 1. Luna 1958B was probably similar.
Luna 1. Luna 1958B was probably similar.

Luna 1958B (E-1 series) was the second Soviet unmanned space mission to the Moon. It was launched on October 12, 1958 and its mission was to crash into the Moon's surface. Its failed predecessor, Luna 1958A, had carried a sodium container with the aim of producing a visible puff of sodium on impact, but it is not known whether 1958B carried sodium too.

In any case, the craft was unsuccessful; it was heavily damaged during the flight and exploded 104 seconds after launch, failing to leave the Earth's atmosphere. The craft's design has not been released yet to the world.[citation needed]


Preceded by
Luna 1958A
Luna programme Succeeded by
Luna 1958C