July 13, 1969: Luna 15 launches

July 13, 1969: Luna 15 launches

On July 13, 1969, the Soviet Union launched Luna 15, an unmanned spacecraft seen as a rival to the American Apollo 11 mission, which launched just three days later. Luna 15’s goal was to land on the Moon, collect rock samples, and return to Earth before the Apollo astronauts. But the heightened moment of competitionContinue reading "July 13, 1969: Luna 15 launches" The post July 13, 1969: Luna 15 launches appeared first on Astronomy Magazine.