# Luna E-6 No.6

> soviet spacecraft lost in 1964 at launch

**Wikidata**: [Q2471184](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2471184)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_E-6_No.6)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/luna-e-6-no-6

## Summary
Luna E-6 No.6 was a Soviet space probe that was lost during its launch on March 21, 1964. As an unmanned robotic spacecraft, it was designed for outer space exploration rather than Earth orbit, utilizing a Molniya rocket for its attempted mission.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** March 21, 1964
- **Status:** Lost at launch
- **Classification:** Space probe (unmanned robotic spacecraft)
- **Launch Vehicle:** Molniya rocket
- **Launch Site:** Gagarin's Start
- **Country of Origin:** Soviet Union
- **Freebase ID:** /m/026d5x6
- **Sitelink Count:** 7 (available in languages including English, Russian, and Portuguese)

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Luna E-6 No.6?
A: Luna E-6 No.6 was a space probe designed as an unmanned robotic spacecraft. Its primary function was to explore outer space beyond the orbit of the Earth.

### Q: What happened during the launch of Luna E-6 No.6?
A: The spacecraft was lost during its launch on March 21, 1964. It was being carried by a Soviet Molniya rocket from the Gagarin's Start launch site when the failure occurred.

### Q: Which country was responsible for Luna E-6 No.6?
A: The spacecraft was a project of the Soviet Union. It was part of their mid-1960s space exploration program using Soviet-designed Molniya launch vehicles.

## Why It Matters
Luna E-6 No.6 represents a specific technical milestone in the Soviet Union's efforts to conduct unmanned robotic exploration of outer space. Launched from the historic Gagarin's Start facility, the mission utilized the Molniya rocket, a significant class of Soviet launch vehicle. While the mission was ultimately unsuccessful due to the loss of the spacecraft at launch, it remains a documented part of the historical record of early space probes. 

The probe's inclusion in multiple international databases and seven different Wikipedia language editions underscores its relevance to the global history of astronautics. For researchers and historians, Luna E-6 No.6 serves as a data point in the development of the E-6 series and the operational history of the Molniya rocket. It highlights the inherent risks and technical challenges faced by the Soviet space program during the 1960s as they attempted to move beyond Earth-centric orbits and push further into the solar system.

## Notable For
- **Launch Site:** Departed from Gagarin's Start, a primary Soviet launch facility.
- **Vehicle Type:** Utilized the Molniya rocket, a specialized Soviet launch vehicle for space probes.
- **International Documentation:** Recognized across seven different language editions of Wikipedia, including Bulgarian, Bengali, and Dutch.
- **Mission Class:** Categorized as a space probe, distinguishing it from standard Earth-orbiting satellites.

## Body

### Mission and Classification
Luna E-6 No.6 was an unmanned robotic spacecraft classified as a space probe. Unlike satellites designed to remain in Earth's orbit, this entity was intended to explore further into outer space. It originated from the Soviet Union and is identified in global databases by the Freebase ID /m/026d5x6.

### Launch Specifications
The mission reached a critical point on March 21, 1964, which is recorded as its official launch date. The technical details of the launch include:
*   **Launch Vehicle:** The spacecraft was mounted on a Molniya rocket.
*   **Launch Location:** The attempt took place at Gagarin's Start.
*   **Significant Event:** The rocket launch itself is categorized as the primary significant event in the probe's history, though it resulted in the loss of the craft.

### Historical Context
The spacecraft is part of the Soviet Union's broader efforts in the 1960s to advance robotic space exploration. Its existence is documented in several languages, including:
*   English (en)
*   Russian (ru)
*   Portuguese (pt)
*   Dutch (nl)
*   Hungarian (hu)
*   Bengali (bn)
*   Bulgarian (bg)

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report