September 14, 2022
On this date in 1968, the Soviet spacecraft Zond 5 was launched and later became the first spacecraft to orbit the Moon and return to Earth. Zond 5 carried a large biological payload, including two Steppe tortoises. The two tortoises survived their flight around the Moon and were alive upon their return to Earth after six days in space.
Scientists surrounding the two Zond 5 tortoises. Image credit: energia.ru/spacecentre.co.uk
