# Lunokhod programme

> Soviet moon rover program (1969-1977)

**Wikidata**: [Q669895](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q669895)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunokhod_programme)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lunokhod-programme

## Summary
The Lunokhod programme was a Soviet Union space initiative that operated between 1969 and 1977 to deploy robotic rovers to the Moon. It was a primary component of the broader Luna programme and utilized lander-class spacecraft to reach the lunar surface. The project is historically significant as a closed Soviet mission that successfully placed mobile remote-controlled vehicles on another astronomical body.

## Key Facts
- **Operating Dates:** Active from its inception in 1969 until it was dissolved in 1977.
- **Country of Origin:** Soviet Union (USSR).
- **Classification:** Categorized as a lander program, a closed project, and a part of the Luna programme.
- **Primary Objective:** To descend toward and come to rest on the Moon's surface to deploy lunar rovers.
- **Key Missions:** Includes Luna 21, the spacecraft responsible for deploying the Lunokhod 2 rover.
- **Hardware Iterations:** Involved multiple versions, including the Lunokhod-3 rover.
- **International Identifiers:** Recognized by Freebase ID /m/0c8n7 and Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana ID 0038755.
- **Aliases:** Also known as Lunokhod, Programa Lunokhod, Lunojod, Lunahod, and Lunajod.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Lunokhod programme?
A: The Lunokhod programme was designed by the Soviet Union to land robotic rovers on the Moon. Operating as part of the Luna programme, it focused on using lander spacecraft to deliver mobile vehicles to the lunar surface for exploration.

### Q: When did the Lunokhod programme take place?
A: The programme began in 1969 and continued until 1977. During this eight-year period, the Soviet Union developed and launched missions such as Luna 21 to deploy its robotic rovers.

### Q: Which spacecraft were involved in the Lunokhod missions?
A: The programme utilized landers, which are spacecraft that descend and rest on the surface of an astronomical body. Specific notable components included the Luna 21 lander, the Lunokhod 2 rover, and the Lunokhod-3 hardware.

## Why It Matters
The Lunokhod programme represents a critical era in the history of space exploration, marking the Soviet Union's successful efforts to operate remote-controlled vehicles on the lunar surface. Running from 1969 to 1977, the programme demonstrated the technical viability of using lander-class spacecraft to deliver complex payloads to the Moon. By successfully deploying rovers like Lunokhod 2 via the Luna 21 mission, the Soviet Union established a precedent for robotic planetary exploration that remains a foundational reference for modern space agencies.

As a major subset of the Luna programme, Lunokhod contributed to the development of autonomous and semi-autonomous systems designed to survive the harsh lunar environment. The project’s dissolution in 1977 marked the end of a specific chapter in Soviet lunar science, yet its influence persists through its extensive documentation in academic sources and international encyclopedias. The programme's ability to navigate the lunar terrain remotely provided essential data and proved that mobile robotic exploration was a viable alternative to crewed missions.

## Notable For
- **Robotic Firsts:** One of the earliest programs to successfully land and operate remote-controlled rovers on the Moon.
- **Lander Integration:** Specialized in the use of lander-class spacecraft designed to descend and come to rest on the lunar surface.
- **Mission Success:** Successfully deployed the Lunokhod 2 rover using the Luna 21 spacecraft.
- **Iterative Development:** Produced multiple generations of lunar vehicles, including the Lunokhod-3.

## Body
### Program Origins and Classification
The Lunokhod programme was established by the Soviet Union in 1969. It is classified as a "closed project" and functioned as a specialized branch of the larger Luna programme. The initiative was focused on the development and deployment of robotic lunar rovers, which are identified in various languages and records by aliases such as Lunojod, Lunahod, and Programa Lunokhod.

### Technical Mission Profile
The programme relied on the "lander" class of spacecraft. These vehicles were engineered to:
- Descend toward the surface of an astronomical body.
- Come to rest safely on the surface.
- Deploy mobile assets for surface exploration.

A primary example of this mission profile was Luna 21, a Soviet spacecraft that successfully landed on the Moon to deploy the Lunokhod 2 rover.

### Hardware and Iterations
The programme saw the development of several distinct units:
- **Lunokhod 2:** Deployed by the Luna 21 mission.
- **Lunokhod-3:** A subsequent iteration of the rover technology developed within the programme.

### Timeline and Conclusion
The programme's inception is dated to 1969. It remained active throughout the early 1970s, contributing to the Soviet Union's lunar exploration data. The Lunokhod programme was officially dissolved, abolished, or demolished in 1977, marking the end of its active mission cycle. It remains a subject of academic study, indexed in various global knowledge bases including the Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013