Luna 15

17.000° 60.000° · Mare Crisium (crashed)

Soviet sample-return attempt that raced Apollo 11. Crashed three hours before Armstrong and Aldrin left the Moon.

Trajectory

Soviet sample-return attempt launched three days before Apollo 11, in a final bid to return lunar material first. Luna 15 entered lunar orbit, then crashed into Mare Crisium on 21 July 1969 during its powered descent, three hours before Armstrong and Aldrin lifted off from Tranquility Base. The two missions were aware of each other and the Houston-Moscow line stayed open throughout.

Source: Roscosmos

Details

Operator: Lavochkin
Country: Soviet Union
Era: soviet
Duration: 6 days