The original space probe was designed by engineers working at the Korolyev Design Bureau, which was under the ultimate control of the Soviet Academy of Sciences. The Korolyev Bureau was under the control of Sergei Korolyev, a leading figure in the Soviet space program. Luna-9 was the last lunar probe overseen by Korolyev, who died in 1966. In the Soviet system, the term 'Design Bureau' denoted an academic/technical institute under the leadership of a senior scientist or engineer. There were several 'Design Bureaux' associated with the Soviet space program, each associated with different space projects, but responsible for both rocket and spacecraft development.

This model was manufactured in the workshops of the Exhibition Centre of the then-Soviet Academy of Sciences. The original spacecraft was manufactured in the workshops of the Korolyev Design Bureau.

No information has ever been provided by the USSR/Russian Academy of Sciences as to the actual construction date of any of the material loaned to the museum. The proposed date is a best estimate, based on the evidence of prior display. The original satellite was constructed in 1965.

The model was made by the Soviet Academy of Sciences for use in exhibitions about the Soviet space program, mounted outside the USSR. It is not known what previous exhibitions it may have been used in. The original Luna-9 was developed by the USSR as part of its lunar exploration program, during the Space Race of the 1960s. Luna-9 made the first successful controlled, or 'soft', landing on the Moon and sent back the first pictures taken on the lunar surface. It was launched on 31 January, 1966 and landed on the Moon 3 February. It transmitted three sessions of television images from the lunar surface, before its batteries ran out of February 6.
Originally owned by the USSR Academy of Sciences. Loaned to the museum in 1987 as part of L2046. The entire collection was purchased by the museum in 1996.

Spacecraft, model, Luna-9, metal, wood, plastic, Exhibition Centre, USSR/Russian Academy of Sciences, pre-1985. 1:2 scale model of Luna-9, the first spacecraft to make a controlled landing on the Moon. Spacecraft has three main elements. The payload, an ejectable lunar surface probe containing a television camera and scientific instruments, is contained within an ovoid capsule at the upper end of the craft. The cylindrical main body, which contains the flight instrumentation, has two modules attached on either side, containing navigation instruments and thrusters. The base of the vehicle contains a cone-shaped retro-rocket to cushion the lunar landing.

Made: 1980 - 1985

97/2/2

1980 - 1985

3860 mm

2400 mm