6. Achieving the first soft landing on the Moon on February 3, 1966, Luna 9 offered the world the first photographs of the celestial object from its surface
Launched on January 31, 1966, Luna 9 departed Earth on a mission to photograph the Moon from its surface. Using a four-stage rocket system to allow the lander to escape Earth’s orbit and reach the celestial orb, once Luna 9 reached 8,300 kilometers from the Moon landing protocols were initiated. Gradually slowing the fall of the lunar lander, the spacecraft hit the surface at a speed of approximately 22 kilometers per hour. Bouncing several times, the 99-kilogram Luna 9 eventually settled, becoming the first man-made object to perform a soft landing on another celestial body on February 3.
Beginning just minutes after landing, Luna 9 began surveying its new surroundings. Taking seven hours for data to be received by mission control, the probe successfully transmitted the first of nine images of the Moon’s surface. Although the Soviets did not plan for their immediate release, British observers at Jodrell Bank successfully identified the radio signals and intercepted the pictures which were then published worldwide. Proving that the surface of the Moon could support the weight of lander without sinking, a vital piece of information for future missions, final contact with Luna 9 was made on February 6.