March 31, 2022
On this date in 1966, the unmanned Soviet lunar probe Luna 10, was launched toward the Moon from an Earth-orbiting platform. It later entered lunar orbit for 460 lunar orbits and 219 active data transmissions before radio signals were discontinued on May 30, 1966.
A diagram showing the stages of the Luna 10 mission, including (1) Earth parking orbit, (2) mid-course correction, (3) reorientation before orbit insertion, and (4) orbit insertion maneuver. Image credit: Andrew LePage
