# Luna 23

> space probe

**Wikidata**: [Q950990](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q950990)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_23)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/luna-23

## Summary  
Luna 23 was a Soviet‑built space probe launched on 28 October 1974 as part of the Luna programme. It was carried to space by a Proton‑K launch vehicle from Baikonur Cosmodrome, weighed about 5 600 kg, and entered a low‑lunar orbit with a periapsis of 94 km, an apoapsis of 104 km, and an inclination of 138°.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 28 October 1974 (1974‑10‑28)【P248】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Proton‑K rocket【P248】  
- **Launch site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81/24【P248】  
- **Mass at launch:** 5 600 kg【P143】【P4656】  
- **Orbit:** Lunar orbit; periapsis 94 km, apoapsis 104 km, inclination 138°【P143】【P4656】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1974‑084A【P143】  
- **Program:** Part of the Soviet Luna programme【P143】  
- **Preceded by:** Luna 22 (follow‑on probe)【P143】  
- **Succeeded by:** Luna E‑8‑5M No. 412 (next probe in the series)【P143】  
- **Image:** ![Luna 23 figure](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Luna23_figure.png)  

## FAQs  
### Q: When was Luna 23 launched?  
**A:** Luna 23 was launched on 28 October 1974 from Baikonur Cosmodrome using a Proton‑K carrier rocket.  

### Q: What was Luna 23’s role in the Luna programme?  
**A:** Luna 23 was a lunar‑orbiting space probe that followed Luna 22 and continued the Soviet Union’s series of unmanned missions to study the Moon’s surface and environment.  

### Q: Which spacecraft came after Luna 23?  
**A:** The next probe in the series was Luna E‑8‑5M No. 412, which succeeded Luna 23 in the Luna programme.  

### Q: How massive was Luna 23 at launch?  
**A:** The spacecraft had a launch mass of approximately 5 600 kilograms.  

### Q: What were the main orbital parameters of Luna 23?  
**A:** Luna 23 orbited the Moon with a periapsis of 94 km, an apoapsis of 104 km, and an orbital inclination of 138 degrees.  

## Why It Matters  
Luna 23 represents a key step in the Soviet Union’s systematic exploration of the Moon during the Cold‑War era. As part of the Luna programme, it built on the scientific and engineering lessons of earlier missions such as Luna 22, extending the series of robotic lunar investigations that gathered critical data on lunar geology, surface conditions, and orbital dynamics. The probe’s relatively heavy mass (5 600 kg) and use of the powerful Proton‑K launch vehicle demonstrated the USSR’s capability to deliver substantial payloads to lunar orbit, paving the way for more ambitious endeavors, including sample‑return attempts and future crewed concepts. Understanding Luna 23’s design, launch, and orbital characteristics provides insight into the evolution of lunar mission architecture and the technological competition that spurred rapid advances in space exploration during the 1970s.  

## Notable For  
- **Heavy launch mass:** 5 600 kg, making it one of the more massive lunar probes of its time.  
- **Proton‑K launch:** Utilized the high‑performance Soviet Proton‑K carrier rocket.  
- **Low lunar orbit:** Achieved a near‑circular orbit (94 km × 104 km) with a steep 138° inclination.  
- **Program continuity:** Directly followed Luna 22 and preceded Luna E‑8‑5M No. 412, illustrating the sequential nature of the Luna series.  
- **COSPAR identification:** Designated 1974‑084A, linking it to the international catalog of space objects.  

## Body  

### Overview  
Luna 23 was an unmanned robotic spacecraft built by the Soviet Union for lunar exploration. Classified as a **space probe** (and also an **artificial satellite** when in orbit), it was part of the broader **Luna programme**, which aimed to study the Moon’s surface, composition, and environment.

### Launch  
- **Date & Time:** 28 October 1974.  
- **Vehicle:** Proton‑K, a heavy‑lift launch rocket developed in the Soviet era.  
- **Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome, Site 81/24, a historic launch complex for many Soviet lunar missions.  

### Spacecraft Specifications  
| Parameter | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| **Mass (launch)** | 5 600 kg |
| **Class** | Space probe (unmanned robotic spacecraft) |
| **Series** | Luna programme |
| **COSPAR ID** | 1974‑084A |
| **NSSDCA ID** | 1974‑084A |
| **Freebase ID** | /m/0pbdg |
| **Image** | ![Luna 23 figure](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Luna23_figure.png) |

### Orbital Characteristics  
- **Periapsis:** 94 km above the lunar surface.  
- **Apoapsis:** 104 km above the lunar surface.  
- **Inclination:** 138 degrees, providing coverage of a wide range of lunar latitudes.  

These parameters placed Luna 23 in a low, near‑circular lunar orbit, suitable for detailed surface observations and potential sample‑handling experiments.

### Program Context  
- **Predecessor:** Luna 22, a preceding probe that tested long‑duration lunar orbit operations.  
- **Successor:** Luna E‑8‑5M No. 412, which continued the series’ scientific objectives.  
- **Series Role:** Luna 23 helped maintain continuous Soviet presence in lunar orbit, contributing data that informed later missions and the overall understanding of lunar conditions.

### Legacy  
Although specific scientific results are not detailed in the source material, Luna 23’s successful launch and orbital insertion demonstrated the reliability of the Proton‑K launch system and the Soviet Union’s capacity to sustain a series of complex lunar missions. Its design and operational experience fed into subsequent lunar endeavors, influencing both Soviet and later international lunar exploration strategies.

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## References

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