# Luna 22

> space probe

**Wikidata**: [Q950874](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q950874)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_22)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/luna-22

## Summary
Luna 22 was a Soviet space probe launched on May 29, 1974, as part of the Luna programme. It was designed to conduct scientific research on the Moon's surface, following the successful Luna 21 mission. The probe was manufactured by NPO Lavochkin and launched using a Proton-K rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Space probe and artificial satellite
- **Launch Date**: May 29, 1974
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/24
- **Launch Vehicle**: Proton-K
- **Manufacturer**: NPO Lavochkin
- **Part of Series**: Luna programme
- **Preceded by**: Luna 21
- **Followed by**: Luna 23
- **COSPAR ID**: 1974-037A
- **NSSDCA ID**: 1974-037A
- **SCN**: 07315

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Luna 22 mission?
A: Luna 22 was part of the Luna programme, designed to conduct scientific research on the Moon's surface, including studying its composition and environment.

### Q: Who launched Luna 22?
A: Luna 22 was launched by the Soviet Union, specifically by the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/24, using a Proton-K rocket.

### Q: What was the relationship between Luna 22 and other Luna missions?
A: Luna 22 followed the successful Luna 21 mission and was preceded by Luna 23, making it part of a series of lunar exploration missions.

### Q: Who manufactured Luna 22?
A: Luna 22 was manufactured by NPO Lavochkin, a Russian aerospace company.

### Q: What was the significance of Luna 22 in the Luna programme?
A: Luna 22 contributed to the ongoing scientific exploration of the Moon, building on the successes of previous missions in the Luna series.

## Why It Matters
Luna 22 played a crucial role in the Soviet Union's lunar exploration efforts, continuing the scientific research initiated by earlier missions in the Luna programme. The probe was designed to study the Moon's surface and environment, contributing valuable data to our understanding of Earth's natural satellite. As part of a series of missions, Luna 22 helped advance the field of lunar science and demonstrated the Soviet Union's capabilities in space exploration. Its launch and operations were significant milestones in the broader context of the Space Race and the broader history of space exploration.

## Notable For
- **Part of the Luna Programme**: Luna 22 was one of several missions in the Soviet Luna programme, which aimed to explore the Moon.
- **Scientific Research**: The probe was designed to conduct scientific research on the Moon's surface, including studying its composition and environment.
- **Technological Achievement**: Luna 22 represented a technological achievement in the Soviet space programme, utilizing advanced spacecraft and launch systems.
- **Continuation of Lunar Exploration**: The mission followed the successful Luna 21, which landed on the Moon and deployed the Lunokhod 2 rover, furthering the exploration of the lunar surface.
- **Contribution to Space Science**: Luna 22's data and findings contributed to the broader field of lunar science, enhancing our understanding of the Moon.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Luna 22 was a Soviet space probe launched on May 29, 1974, as part of the Luna programme. The mission was designed to conduct scientific research on the Moon's surface, including studying its composition and environment. The probe was manufactured by NPO Lavochkin and launched using a Proton-K rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/24.

### Mission Details
- **Launch Date**: May 29, 1974
- **Launch Site**: Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/24
- **Launch Vehicle**: Proton-K
- **Manufacturer**: NPO Lavochkin
- **Part of Series**: Luna programme
- **Preceded by**: Luna 21
- **Followed by**: Luna 23
- **COSPAR ID**: 1974-037A
- **NSSDCA ID**: 1974-037A
- **SCN**: 07315

### Scientific Objectives
The primary objective of Luna 22 was to conduct scientific research on the Moon's surface, including studying its composition and environment. The mission was part of a series of lunar exploration efforts by the Soviet Union, building on the successes of previous missions in the Luna programme.

### Technological Aspects
Luna 22 was equipped with advanced scientific instruments designed to gather data on the Moon's surface and environment. The probe was launched using a Proton-K rocket, which was a reliable and powerful carrier rocket used by the Soviet Union for various space missions.

### Historical Context
Luna 22 was launched following the successful Luna 21 mission, which landed on the Moon and deployed the Lunokhod 2 rover. The mission was part of a series of lunar exploration efforts by the Soviet Union, contributing to the broader field of space exploration and scientific research.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Luna 22",
  "description": "A Soviet space probe launched on May 29, 1974, as part of the Luna programme to conduct scientific research on the Moon's surface.",
  "additionalType": "SpaceProbe",
  "manufacturer": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "NPO Lavochkin"
  },
  "launchDate": "1974-05-29",
  "launchVehicle": "Proton-K",
  "launchSite": "Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/24",
  "partOfSeries": "Luna programme",
  "predecessor": "Luna 21",
  "successor": "Luna 23",
  "identifier": [
    "1974-037A",
    "07315"
  ]
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013