Lunokhod 1 - Landing and Surface Operations

Landing and Surface Operations

The spacecraft soft-landed on the Moon in the Sea of Rains on November 17 at 03:47 UTC. The lander had dual ramps from which the payload, Lunokhod 1, could descend to the lunar surface. At 06:28 UT the rover moved onto the Moon's surface.

The rover would run during the lunar day, stopping occasionally to recharge its batteries via the solar panels. At night the rover hibernated until the next sunrise, heated by the radioactive source.

1970:

  • November 17 - November 22: The rover drives 197 m, returns 14 close up pictures of the Moon and 12 panoramic views, during 10 communication sessions. It also conducts analyses of the lunar soil.
  • December 9 - December 22: 1,522 m

1971:

  • January 8 - January 20: 1,936 m
  • February 8 - February 19: 1,573 m
  • March 9 - March 20: 2,004 m
  • April 8 - April 20: 1,029 m
  • May 7 - May 20: 197 m
  • June 5 - June 18: 1,559 m
  • July 4 - July 17: 220 m
  • August 3 - August 16: 215 m
  • August 31 - September 14: 88 m

  • A panorama shot from Lunokhod 1

Read more about this topic:  Lunokhod 1

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