# Lunokhod 2

> Soviet lunar rover deployed by the Luna 21 spacecraft

**Wikidata**: [Q1051675](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1051675)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunokhod_2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lunokhod-2

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Lunokhod 2**:

---

## Summary  
Lunokhod 2 was a Soviet lunar rover deployed by the Luna 21 spacecraft in 1973. It was the second successful robotic rover to operate on the Moon, following Lunokhod 1. The rover conducted surface exploration, scientific experiments, and transmitted data back to Earth for four months.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date:** January 11, 1973, from Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard a Proton-K rocket.  
- **Landing Date:** January 15, 1973, in the Le Monnier crater on the Moon.  
- **Mass:** 840 kg (dry weight).  
- **Dimensions:** 170 cm (length) × 160 cm (width) × 135 cm (height).  
- **Preceded by:** Lunokhod 1 (first lunar rover).  
- **Succeeded by:** Lunokhod-3 (planned but never launched).  
- **Carried Instruments:** Professional video camera, penetrometer, spectrometer, astrophotometer, and magnetometer.  
- **Operational Duration:** 4 months, covering 37 km of lunar terrain.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was Lunokhod 2's mission?  
A: Lunokhod 2 aimed to explore the Moon's surface, conduct scientific experiments, and transmit data to Earth. It studied soil composition, magnetic fields, and solar radiation.  

### Q: How long did Lunokhod 2 operate on the Moon?  
A: It operated for four months, covering 37 km of lunar terrain before its mission ended.  

### Q: What happened to Lunokhod 2?  
A: The rover stopped functioning after overheating when its solar panel became covered in lunar dust, cutting off power.  

## Why It Matters  
Lunokhod 2 marked a significant advancement in lunar exploration, demonstrating the feasibility of remote-controlled rovers for scientific research. It provided valuable data on the Moon's geology, magnetic fields, and surface conditions, contributing to our understanding of extraterrestrial environments. As the second successful lunar rover, it paved the way for future robotic missions, including modern Mars rovers. Its achievements underscored the Soviet Union's leadership in space exploration during the Cold War era.  

## Notable For  
- **Second successful lunar rover**, building on Lunokhod 1's legacy.  
- **Covered 37 km**, a record for lunar surface travel until surpassed by modern rovers.  
- **Advanced instrumentation**, including a professional video camera and spectrometers.  
- **Part of the Luna program**, a cornerstone of Soviet lunar exploration.  

## Body  
### Deployment and Mission  
- Launched on January 11, 1973, by the Luna 21 spacecraft.  
- Landed on January 15, 1973, in the Le Monnier crater.  

### Design and Specifications  
- **Mass:** 840 kg (dry weight).  
- **Dimensions:** 170 cm × 160 cm × 135 cm.  
- **Power:** Solar panels for energy.  

### Scientific Instruments  
- Professional video camera for surface imaging.  
- Penetrometer for soil analysis.  
- Spectrometer for chemical composition studies.  
- Astrophotometer and magnetometer for environmental measurements.  

### Operational History  
- Operated for four months, traveling 37 km.  
- Mission ended due to overheating from dust-covered solar panels.  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Lunokhod 2",
  "description": "Soviet lunar rover deployed by the Luna 21 spacecraft in 1973.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q207124",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunokhod_2"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Lunar Rover"
}

## References

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