# Luna E-1 No.1

> spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q18872](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18872)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_E-1_No.1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/luna-e-1-no-1

## Summary
Luna E-1 No.1 was a Soviet spacecraft launched on September 23, 1958, as part of the Luna programme. It was the first spacecraft in the Luna E-1 series and was launched from Gagarin's Start using the Luna 8K72 rocket. The mission was followed by Luna E-1 No.2.

## Key Facts
- **Launch date**: September 23, 1958
- **Launch site**: Gagarin's Start
- **Launch vehicle**: Luna 8K72
- **Part of series**: Luna programme
- **Followed by**: Luna E-1 No.2
- **Class**: Luna E-1
- **Aliases**: Luna 1958A, Luna E-1 No.1, Lunik Mission, Луна-1A
- **Significant event**: Rocket launch on September 23, 1958, from Gagarin's Start

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Luna E-1 No.1 mission?
A: The Luna E-1 No.1 mission was part of the Soviet Luna programme, which aimed to explore the Moon. While specific objectives are not detailed in the provided source, it was a precursor to later lunar missions.

### Q: How did Luna E-1 No.1 differ from Luna E-1 No.2?
A: Luna E-1 No.1 was the first spacecraft in the Luna E-1 series, launched on September 23, 1958. Luna E-1 No.2, also known as Luna 1958B, was launched later and had a different mission profile, though specific differences are not specified in the source.

### Q: What was the significance of the Luna E-1 series?
A: The Luna E-1 series was part of the broader Soviet Luna programme, which included early lunar probes. While Luna E-1 No.1 was the first in the series, its exact contributions are not detailed in the provided source.

## Why It Matters
The Luna E-1 No.1 mission was a pivotal early effort in the Soviet Luna programme, contributing to the broader goal of lunar exploration. Launched on September 23, 1958, from Gagarin's Start using the Luna 8K72 rocket, it marked the beginning of a series of missions aimed at studying the Moon. While specific outcomes are not detailed, the mission laid the groundwork for subsequent lunar probes, including Luna E-1 No.2. The Luna programme as a whole played a significant role in the Space Race, demonstrating Soviet capabilities in space exploration and paving the way for future missions.

## Notable For
- **First in series**: Luna E-1 No.1 was the inaugural spacecraft in the Luna E-1 series.
- **Part of the Luna programme**: It was a key component of the Soviet Luna programme, which aimed to explore the Moon.
- **Precursor to Luna E-1 No.2**: The mission was followed by Luna E-1 No.2, indicating its role in early lunar exploration efforts.
- **Launched from Gagarin's Start**: The spacecraft was launched from the Gagarin's Start site, a significant launch facility in the Soviet space programme.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Luna E-1 No.1 was launched on September 23, 1958, as part of the Soviet Luna programme. The mission was launched from Gagarin's Start using the Luna 8K72 rocket. It was the first spacecraft in the Luna E-1 series and was followed by Luna E-1 No.2.

### Technical Specifications
- **Launch vehicle**: Luna 8K72
- **Launch site**: Gagarin's Start
- **Part of series**: Luna programme

### Significance
The Luna E-1 No.1 mission was significant as part of the broader Soviet efforts to explore the Moon. While specific details of its objectives and outcomes are not provided, it played a role in the early stages of lunar exploration. The mission was followed by Luna E-1 No.2, indicating its place in the sequence of early lunar probes.

## References

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