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Lander · Sample return

Luna 23

Failure Unknown

Milestones

9 Nov 1974 Last contact with the lander, after a limited science programme. Beyond Earth: A Chronicle of Deep Space Exploration, 1958–2016 (NASA SP-2018-4041)
6 Nov 1974 Landing Table of Anthropogenic Impacts and Spacecraft on the Moon
28 Oct 1974 Launch Beyond Earth: A Chronicle of Deep Space Exploration, 1958–2016 (NASA SP-2018-4041)

Operator: Lavochkin
Launch: 28 Oct 1974
Site: 12.67° N · 62.15° E
Programme: Luna
COSPAR: 1974-084A

On the map

Luna 23 Lander

Further reading

Sources

Beyond Earth: A Chronicle of Deep Space Exploration, 1958–2016 (NASA SP-2018-4041)Table 1, no. 146 (launch, outcome)
Table of Anthropogenic Impacts and Spacecraft on the MoonLuna 23
LROC Anthropogenic Objectslroc-luna23 (site)
WikidataQ950990 (identifiers, Wikipedia links)
Chronology of Lunar and Planetary ExplorationLuna 23: "Attempted Lunar Sample Return" (outcome)
Beyond Earth: A Chronicle of Deep Space Exploration, 1958–2016 (NASA SP-2018-4041)no. 146, Results: "the vehicle managed to land in one piece"; contact "maintained ... until 9 November 1974" (status)
Beyond Earth: A Chronicle of Deep Space Exploration, 1958–2016 (NASA SP-2018-4041)no. 154 (Luna 24), Results: "the crashed Luna 23" (status)
Table of Anthropogenic Impacts and Spacecraft on the MoonLuna 23: "Soft Landing", 6 November 1974 (status)

Checked on 2026-10-04