Project Luna
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The Luna program launched the modern history of lunar exploration in the year 1959 with these three missions from the USSR.
| Spacecraft Name | Type | Launch Date | Date of Lunar Encounter | Country | Launcher | Comments |
| Luna 1 | Lunar Flyby | January 2, 1959 at 16:41:21 UTC | January 4, 1959 | USSR | SS-6/R-7 (8K72) | First spacecraft to reach the vicinity of the Moon , closest distance 5,995 km, impact intended |
| Luna 2 | Lunar Impact | September 12, 1959 at 06:39:42 UTC | September 14, 1959, 22:02:24 UTC | USSR | SS-6/R-7 (8K72) | First Lunar Impact - Landing coordinates: 29.1° N, 0° W. |
| Luna 3 | Lunar Flyby | October 4, 1959 at 02:24:00 UTC | October 6, 1959, 14:16 UTC | USSR | SS-6/R-7 (8K72) | First images of the far side of the Moon; closest distance of 6,200 km near south pole |