# Luna 4

> space probe

**Wikidata**: [Q1159899](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1159899)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_4)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/luna-4

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Luna 4** based on the provided source material:

---

## Summary  
Luna 4 was a Soviet space probe launched in 1963 as part of the Luna programme, designed to explore outer space beyond Earth's orbit. It was an unmanned robotic spacecraft intended to study the Moon, though its mission details remain less documented compared to later Luna missions. The probe was launched aboard a Molniya rocket from Gagarin's Start.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: April 2, 1963 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Molniya rocket ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Mass**: 1,422 kilograms ([reference](https://ru.wikipedia.org/?oldid=132424866))  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1963-008B ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q206855))  
- **Part of Series**: Luna programme ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q206855))  
- **Preceded by**: Luna E-6 No.3 (1963 launch attempt) ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q206855))  
- **Succeeded by**: Luna 5 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q206855))  
- **Launch Site**: Gagarin's Start ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Luna 4?  
A: Luna 4 was a Soviet space probe designed to explore the Moon, though specific mission objectives are less documented compared to later Luna missions.  

### Q: How was Luna 4 launched?  
A: It was launched aboard a Molniya rocket from Gagarin's Start on April 2, 1963.  

### Q: What came after Luna 4?  
A: Luna 4 was succeeded by Luna 5, another space probe in the Luna programme.  

## Why It Matters  
Luna 4 represents an early effort in the Soviet Union's Luna programme, which aimed to advance lunar exploration during the Space Race. While its mission outcomes are less documented, it contributed to the technological and operational groundwork for subsequent missions, including later successful lunar landings. The probe's launch also demonstrated the capabilities of the Molniya rocket, a key Soviet launch vehicle. Luna 4's place in the sequence of Luna missions highlights the iterative nature of space exploration, where each mission built on prior experiences to achieve more ambitious goals.

## Notable For  
- One of the early Soviet attempts to explore the Moon as part of the Luna programme.  
- Launched aboard the Molniya rocket, a significant Soviet launch vehicle.  
- Followed the failed Luna E-6 No.3 mission and preceded Luna 5.  

## Body  
### Launch and Mission  
- **Launch Date**: April 2, 1963.  
- **Launch Site**: Gagarin's Start, a historic Soviet launch complex.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Molniya rocket, a workhorse of Soviet space missions.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass**: 1,422 kg, typical for lunar probes of the era.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1963-008B, uniquely identifying it in space mission catalogs.  

### Programme Context  
- Part of the Luna programme, a series of Soviet lunar exploration missions.  
- Preceded by Luna E-6 No.3 and succeeded by Luna 5.  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Luna 4",
  "description": "A Soviet space probe launched in 1963 as part of the Luna programme.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q206855",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_4"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Space Probe"
}

## References

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