Happy Anniversary Luna 1!

[JonClarke]

<p>January 2nd is the 50th anniversary of the Luna 1 mission.&nbsp; Often known by the name of Mechta, the simple but elegant mission was the first to leave Earth orbit.&nbsp; It provided much new information on the Moon, the Earth, and the Sun.</p><p>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_1</p><p>Luna 1 was followed on September 12 by Luna 2, the first lunar impact (which Lunba 1 was also independed to achieve).</p><p>A great achievement and milestone in the exploration of space.</p><p>Jon</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[MarkStanaway]

<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>January 2nd is the 50th anniversary of the Luna 1 mission.&nbsp; Often known by the name of Mechta, the simple but elegant mission was the first to leave Earth orbit.&nbsp; It provided much new information on the Moon, the Earth, and the Sun.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_1Luna 1 was followed on September 12 by Luna 2, the first lunar impact (which Lunba 1 was also independed to achieve).A great achievement and milestone in the exploration of space.Jon <br /> Posted by jonclarke</DIV></p><p>When it was launched Luna 1 was referred to as 'The First Cosmic Ship' It was only retrospectively renamed 'Luna 1' later in the '60's. The Luna probes we now call Luna 1, Luna 2, and Luna 3&nbsp; were first referred to by the Soviets as 'First Cosmic Ship', Second Cosmic Ship', and the 'Automatic Interplanetary Station'.</p><p>The term 'Lunik' is sometimes used to describe these moon probes but this is a Western cocoction of Luna probe and Sputnik and has never been used in the Soviet/Russian literature.</p><p>Just a little trivia I thught you may be interested in</p><p>Mark </p><p>&nbsp;</p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>