Astronomy:List of artificial objects on the Moon

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Locations of major spacecraft on the Moon superimposed on data from the Clementine mission in equirectangular projection

This is a partial list of artificial materials left on the Moon, many during the missions of the Apollo program. The table below does not include lesser Apollo mission artificial objects, such as a hammer and other tools, retroreflectors, Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Packages, or the commemorative, artistic, and personal objects left by the twelve Apollo astronauts, such as the United States flags, the commemorative plaques attached to the ladders of the six Apollo Lunar Modules, the silver astronaut pin left by Alan Bean in honor of Clifton C. Williams whom he replaced, the Bible left by David Scott, the Fallen Astronaut statuette and memorial plaque placed by the crew of Apollo 15, the Apollo 11 goodwill messages disc, or the golf balls[1] Alan Shepard hit during an Apollo 14 moonwalk.

Five S-IVB third stages of Saturn V rockets from the Apollo program crashed into the Moon, and are the heaviest human-made objects on the lunar surface. Humans have left over 187,400 kilograms (413,100 lb) of material on the Moon. Besides the 2019 Chang'e 4 and SLIM missions, the only artificial objects on the Moon that are still in use are the retroreflectors for the Lunar Laser Ranging experiments left there by the Apollo 11, 14, and 15 astronauts, Chandrayaan-3 lunar lander, and by the Soviet Union's Lunokhod 1 and Lunokhod 2 missions.[2]

Objects at greater than 90 degrees east or west are on the far side of the Moon, including Ranger 4, Lunar Orbiter 1, Lunar Orbiter 2, Lunar Orbiter 3, Chang'e 4 lander and Yutu-2 rover.

Because of increasing numbers of missions to and objects at the Moon a global registry of lunar activities has been proposed in 2023 by the Open Lunar Foundation.[3]

List

Legend

Colors
Crashed (unintentionally)
Impactor or post-mission crashed
Landed
Operational

Table of objects

Artificial object Image Country Year Mass (lb) Mass (kg) Status Location Notes
Luna 2
Luna 1 - 2 Spacecraft.png
  Soviet Union 1959 860 390 Impactor [ ⚑ ] 29°06′N 0°00′E / 29.1°N 0°E / 29.1; 0 [4]
Luna 2
Third stage of Vostok rocket
Block-E rocket stage.png
  Soviet Union 1959 20,100 9,100 Crashed (post-mission) [ ⚑ ] 29°06′N 0°00′E / 29.1°N 0°E / 29.1; 0 [5]
Ranger 4
1964 71394L.jpg
  United States 1962 730 331 Impactor [ ⚑ ] 15°30′S 130°42′W / 15.5°S 130.7°W / -15.5; -130.7 [6]
Ranger 6
The Ranger Spacecraft GPN-2000-001979.jpg
  United States 1964 840 381 Impactor [ ⚑ ] 9°21′29″N 21°28′48″E / 9.358°N 21.480°E / 9.358; 21.480 [7]
Ranger 7
The Ranger Spacecraft GPN-2000-001979.jpg
  United States 1964 805 365 Impactor [ ⚑ ] 10°38′S 20°36′W / 10.63°S 20.60°W / -10.63; -20.60 [8]
Luna 5  Soviet Union 1965 3,250 1,474 Crashed [ ⚑ ] 8°N 23°W / 8°N 23°W / 8; -23 [9]
Luna 7  Soviet Union 1965 3,316 1,504 Crashed [ ⚑ ] 9°48′N 47°48′W / 9.8°N 47.8°W / 9.8; -47.8 [10]
Luna 8  Soviet Union 1965 3,422 (launch mass) 1552 (launch mass) Crashed [ ⚑ ] 9°06′N 63°18′W / 9.1°N 63.3°W / 9.1; -63.3 [11]
Ranger 8
The Ranger Spacecraft GPN-2000-001979.jpg
  United States 1965 809 367 Impactor [ ⚑ ] 2°38′17″N 24°47′13″E / 2.638°N 24.787°E / 2.638; 24.787 [12]
Ranger 9
The Ranger Spacecraft GPN-2000-001979.jpg
  United States 1965 809 367 Impactor [ ⚑ ] 12°49′41″S 2°23′13″W / 12.828°S 2.387°W / -12.828; -2.387 [13]
Luna 9 spacecraft/descent stage
Luna 9 Musee du Bourget P1010505.JPG
  Soviet Union 1966 3,391 (before lander capsule ejection) 1538 (before lander capsule ejection) Crashed (post-mission) [ ⚑ ] 7°05′N 64°22′W / 7.08°N 64.37°W / 7.08; -64.37 [14]
Luna 9 Automated Lunar Station (ALS) airbag and lander capsule
Luna-9 model.jpg
  Soviet Union 1966 218 99 Landed [ ⚑ ] 7°05′N 64°22′W / 7.08°N 64.37°W / 7.08; -64.37 [14]
Luna 10  Soviet Union 1966 3,500 1,600 Crashed
(post-mission) 		Unknown[lower-alpha 1] [15]
Luna 11  Soviet Union 1966 3,620 1,640 Crashed (post-mission) Unknown[lower-alpha 1] [16]
Luna 12  Soviet Union 1966 3,680 1,670 Crashed (post-mission) Unknown[lower-alpha 1] [17]
Surveyor 1 (separate from descent stage)
Surveyor NASA lunar lander.jpg
  United States 1966 600 270 Landed [ ⚑ ] 2°28′26″S 43°20′20″W / 2.474°S 43.339°W / -2.474; -43.339 [18]
Luna 13 (separate from descent stage)
Luna13 lander vsm.jpg
  Soviet Union 1966 249 113 Landed [ ⚑ ] 18°52′N 62°03′W / 18.87°N 62.05°W / 18.87; -62.05 [19]
Lunar Orbiter 1
Lunar Orbiter Engineering Mock-up.jpg
  United States 1966 851 386 Crashed
(post-mission) 		[ ⚑ ] 6°42′N 162°00′E / 6.70°N 162°E / 6.70; 162 [20]
Surveyor 2
Surveyor NASA lunar lander.jpg
  United States 1966 644 292 Crashed [ ⚑ ] 5°30′N 12°00′W / 5.5°N 12°W / 5.5; -12 [21]
Lunar Orbiter 2
Lunar Orbiter Engineering Mock-up.jpg
  United States 1966 849 385 Crashed
(post-mission) 		[ ⚑ ] 3°00′N 119°00′E / 3.0°N 119°E / 3.0; 119 [22]
Lunar Orbiter 3
Lunar Orbiter Engineering Mock-up.jpg
  United States 1966 851 386 Crashed
(post-mission) 		[ ⚑ ] 14°18′N 97°42′W / 14.3°N 97.7°W / 14.3; -97.7 [23]
Surveyor 3 (separate from descent stage)
Surveyor 3 on the Moon.jpg
  United States 1967 619 281 Landed[lower-alpha 2] [ ⚑ ] 3°00′54″S 23°25′05″W / 3.015°S 23.418°W / -3.015; -23.418 [24]
Lunar Orbiter 4
Lunar Orbiter Engineering Mock-up.jpg
  United States 1967 851 386 Crashed
(post-mission) 		Unknown[lower-alpha 1] [25]
Surveyor 4
Surveyor NASA lunar lander.jpg
  United States 1967 624 283 Crashed [ ⚑ ] 0°24′N 1°20′W / 0.4°N 1.33°W / 0.4; -1.33 [26]
Explorer 35
IMP-E.jpg
  United States 1967 229 104 Crashed
(post mission) 		Unknown[lower-alpha 1] [27]
Lunar Orbiter 5
Lunar Orbiter Engineering Mock-up.jpg
  United States 1967 851 386 Crashed
(post-mission) 		[ ⚑ ] 3°S 83°W / 3°S 83°W / -3; -83 [28]
Surveyor 5 (separate from descent stage)
Surveyor NASA lunar lander.jpg
  United States 1967 619 281 Landed [ ⚑ ] 1°27′40″N 23°11′42″E / 1.461°N 23.195°E / 1.461; 23.195 [29]
Surveyor 6 (separate from descent stage)
Surveyor NASA lunar lander.jpg
  United States 1967 622 282 Landed [ ⚑ ] 0°29′N 1°24′W / 0.49°N 1.40°W / 0.49; -1.40 [30]
Surveyor 7 (separate from descent stage)
Surveyor NASA lunar lander.jpg
  United States 1968 640 290 Landed [ ⚑ ] 40°52′S 11°28′W / 40.86°S 11.47°W / -40.86; -11.47 [31]
Luna 14  Soviet Union 1968 3,680 1,670 Crashed (post-mission) Unknown[lower-alpha 1] [32]
Apollo 10
LM-4 Snoopy descent stage
LEM-linedrawing.png
  United States 1969 4,874 2,211 Likely crashed
(post-mission) 		Unknown[lower-alpha 1] [33]
Apollo 11
LM-5 Eagle descent stage
Apollo 11 Lunar Lander - 5927 NASA.jpg
  United States 1969 4,484 2,034 Landed [ ⚑ ] 0°40′27″N 23°28′23″E / 0.6741°N 23.4730°E / 0.6741; 23.4730 [34]
Luna 15  Soviet Union 1969 5,992 2,718 Crashed Unknown [35]
Apollo 11
LM-5 Eagle ascent stage[lower-alpha 3]
Apollo 17 LM Ascent Stage.jpg
  United States 1969 4,815 2,184 Crashed (post-mission) or in orbit Unknown [36][37]
Apollo 12
LM-6 Intrepid descent stage
Bean Descends Intrepid - GPN-2000-001317.jpg
  United States 1969 4,874 2,211 Landed [ ⚑ ] 3°00′45″S 23°25′18″W / 3.0124°S 23.4216°W / -3.0124; -23.4216 [38]
Apollo 12
LM-6 Intrepid ascent stage[lower-alpha 3]
Apollo 17 LM Ascent Stage.jpg
  United States 1969 4,771 2,164 Crashed
(post-mission) 		[ ⚑ ] 3°56′S 21°12′W / 3.94°S 21.20°W / -3.94; -21.20 [39]
Luna 16 descent stage[lower-alpha 4]
Luna 16.jpg
  Soviet Union 1970 3,040 1,380 Landed [ ⚑ ] 0°41′S 56°18′E / 0.68°S 56.3°E / -0.68; 56.3 [40]
Luna 17 and Lunokhod 1
Луноход.JPG
  Soviet Union 1970 12,300 5,600 Landed [ ⚑ ] 38°17′N 35°00′W / 38.28°N 35.0°W / 38.28; -35.0 [41]
Apollo 13
S-IVB (S-IVB-508)[42]
AS17-148-22714 crop.jpg
  United States 1970 29,661 13,454 Crashed (post-mission) [ ⚑ ] 2°45′S 27°52′W / 2.75°S 27.86°W / -2.75; -27.86 [43]
Luna 18  Soviet Union 1971 4,140 1,880 Crashed [ ⚑ ] 3°34′N 56°30′E / 3.57°N 56.5°E / 3.57; 56.5 [44]
Luna 19  Soviet Union 1971 4,140 1,880 Crashed (post-mission) Unknown[lower-alpha 1] [45]
Apollo 14
S-IVB (S-IVB-509)
AS17-148-22714 crop.jpg
  United States 1971 30,900 14,016 Crashed (post-mission) [ ⚑ ] 8°05′S 26°01′W / 8.09°S 26.02°W / -8.09; -26.02 [46]
Apollo 14
LM-8 Antares descent stage
LRO Apollo14 landing site 369228main ap14labeled 540.jpg
  United States 1971 4,727 2,144 Landed [ ⚑ ] 3°38′43″S 17°28′17″W / 3.6453°S 17.4714°W / -3.6453; -17.4714 [47]
Apollo 14
LM-8 Antares ascent stage[lower-alpha 3]
Apollo 17 LM Ascent Stage.jpg
  United States 1971 4,705 2,132 Crashed
(post-mission) 		[ ⚑ ] 3°25′S 19°40′W / 3.42°S 19.67°W / -3.42; -19.67 [48]
Apollo 15
S-IVB (S-IVB-510)
AS17-148-22714 crop.jpg
  United States 1971 30,944 14,036 Crashed (post-mission) [ ⚑ ] 1°31′S 11°49′W / 1.51°S 11.81°W / -1.51; -11.81 [49]
Apollo 15
LM-10 Falcon descent stage
Apollo16LM.jpg
  United States 1971 6,193 2,809 Landed [ ⚑ ] 26°07′56″N 3°38′02″E / 26.1322°N 3.6339°E / 26.1322; 3.6339 [50]
Apollo 15
Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV-1)
Apollo15LunarRover.jpg
  United States 1971 460 210 Landed [ ⚑ ] 26°05′N 3°40′E / 26.08°N 3.66°E / 26.08; 3.66
Apollo 15
LM-10 Falcon ascent stage[lower-alpha 3]
Apollo 17 LM Ascent Stage.jpg
  United States 1971 4,700 2,132 Crashed
(post-mission) 		[ ⚑ ] 26°22′N 0°15′E / 26.36°N 0.25°E / 26.36; 0.25 [51]
Apollo 15 subsatellite
Apollo 15 Subsatellite.jpg
  United States 1971 79 36 Crashed
(post-mission) 		Unknown[lower-alpha 1] [52]
Luna 20 descent stage[lower-alpha 4]  Soviet Union 1972 12626 <12,626


5727 <5,727


Landed [ ⚑ ] 3°34′N 56°30′E / 3.57°N 56.5°E / 3.57; 56.5 [53]
Apollo 16
S-IVB (S-IVB-511)
AS17-148-22714 crop.jpg
  United States 1972 30,869 14,002 Crashed (post-mission) [ ⚑ ] 1°55′16″N 24°37′23″W / 1.921°N 24.623°W / 1.921; -24.623 [54]
Apollo 16
LM-11 Orion descent stage
Apollo16LM.jpg
  United States 1972 6,096 2,765 Landed [ ⚑ ] 8°58′23″S 15°30′01″E / 8.9730°S 15.5002°E / -8.9730; 15.5002 [55]
Apollo 16
Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV-2)
AS16-110-18009 (21673657156).jpg
  United States 1972 460 210 Landed [ ⚑ ] 8°58′S 15°31′E / 8.97°S 15.51°E / -8.97; 15.51
Apollo 16
LM-11 Orion ascent stage[lower-alpha 3]
Apollo 17 LM Ascent Stage.jpg
  United States 1972 4,713 2,138 Crashed
(post-mission) 		Unknown [56]
Apollo 16 subsatellite
Apollo 15 Subsatellite.jpg
  United States 1972 79 36 Crashed
(post-mission) 		Unknown[lower-alpha 1] [57]
Apollo 17
S-IVB (S-IVB-512)
AS17-148-22714 crop.jpg
  United States 1972 30,780 13,960 Crashed (post-mission) [ ⚑ ] 4°13′S 12°19′W / 4.21°S 12.31°W / -4.21; -12.31 [58]
Apollo 17
LM-12 Challenger descent stage
Apollo16LM.jpg
  United States 1972 6,169 2,798 Landed [ ⚑ ] 20°11′27″N 30°46′18″E / 20.1908°N 30.7717°E / 20.1908; 30.7717 [59]
Apollo 17
Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV-3)
Apollo 17 rover at final resting site.jpg
  United States 1972 460 210 Landed [ ⚑ ] 20°10′N 30°46′E / 20.17°N 30.77°E / 20.17; 30.77
Apollo 17
LM-12 Challenger ascent stage[lower-alpha 3]
Apollo 17 LM Ascent Stage.jpg
  United States 1972 4,740 2,150 Crashed
(post-mission) 		[ ⚑ ] 19°58′N 30°30′E / 19.96°N 30.50°E / 19.96; 30.50 [60]
Luna 21 and Lunokhod 2[lower-alpha 5]  Soviet Union 1973 10,690 4,850 Landed [ ⚑ ] 25°51′N 30°27′E / 25.85°N 30.45°E / 25.85; 30.45 [61]
Explorer 49 (RAE-B)
RAE B.jpg
  United States 1973 723 328 Crashed (post-mission) Unknown[lower-alpha 1] [62]
Luna 22  Soviet Union 1974 8,800 4,000 Crashed (post-mission) Unknown[lower-alpha 1] [63]
Luna 23  Soviet Union 1974 12,300 5,600 Landed [ ⚑ ] 12°45′N 62°12′E / 12.75°N 62.20°E / 12.75; 62.20 [64]
Luna 24 descent stage[lower-alpha 4]  Soviet Union 1976 12787 <12,787


5800 <5,800


Landed [ ⚑ ] 12°45′N 62°12′E / 12.75°N 62.20°E / 12.75; 62.20 [65]
Hagoromo
Hiten[lower-alpha 6]
Hiten.gif
  Japan 1990 26 12 Crashed
(not confirmed/post-mission) 		Unknown [66]
Hiten
Hiten.gif
  Japan 1993 315 143 Crashed (post-mission)/Impactor [ ⚑ ] 34°18′S 55°36′E / 34.3°S 55.6°E / -34.3; 55.6 [67]
Lunar Prospector
Lunar Prospector orbiter.jpg
  United States 1998 278 126 Crashed (post-mission) [ ⚑ ] 87°42′S 42°21′E / 87.7°S 42.35°E / -87.7; 42.35 [68][69]
SMART-1
SMART-1 Impact flash.jpg
 ESA logo simple.svg European Space Agency 2006 677 307 Crashed (post-mission) [ ⚑ ] 34°15′43″S 46°11′35″W / 34.262°S 46.193°W / -34.262; -46.193 [70]
Moon Impact Probe (MIP)
Chandrayaan-1 		Chandrayaan-1-MIP2.jpg  India 2008 77 35 Impactor [ ⚑ ] 89°46′S 39°24′W / 89.76°S 39.40°W / -89.76; -39.40 [71][72][73]
SELENE Rstar (Okina)  Japan 2009 117 53 Crashed (post-mission) [ ⚑ ] 28°12′47″N 159°01′59″W / 28.213°N 159.033°W / 28.213; -159.033 [74][75][76]
SELENE Vstar (Ouna)  Japan Unknown 117 53 Crashed (post-mission) Unknown [77]
Chang'e 1
Chang'e-1 mockup at BASM.jpg
  China 2009 4,400 2,000 Crashed (post-mission) [ ⚑ ] 1°30′S 52°22′E / 1.50°S 52.36°E / -1.50; 52.36 [78][79][80]
SELENE (Kaguya) main orbiter  Japan 2009 4,374 1,984[78] Crashed (post-mission) [ ⚑ ] 65°30′S 80°30′E / 65.5°S 80.5°E / -65.5; 80.5 [81][82][83]
LCROSS Shepherding Spacecraft
LCROSS Centaur.jpg
  United States 2009 1,500 700 Crashed (post-mission) [ ⚑ ] 84°43′44″S 49°21′36″W / 84.729°S 49.36°W / -84.729; -49.36 [lower-alpha 7][84][85]
LCROSS Centaur
LCROSS Centaur 1.jpg
  United States 2009 5,000 2,270 Crashed (post-mission) [ ⚑ ] 84°40′30″S 48°43′30″W / 84.675°S 48.725°W / -84.675; -48.725 [lower-alpha 8][86][87]
GRAIL
GRAIL.jpg
  United States 2012 293 133 Crashed
(post-mission) 		[ ⚑ ] 75°37′N 26°38′W / 75.62°N 26.63°W / 75.62; -26.63 [88]
Chang'e 3 lander  China 2013 2,600 1,200 Landed/operational[89] [ ⚑ ] 44°07′N 19°31′W / 44.12°N 19.51°W / 44.12; -19.51 [90][91][92]
Chang'e 3
Yutu rover
Yutu rover.jpg
  China 2013 2,600 1,200 Landed[93] [ ⚑ ] 44°07′N 19°31′W / 44.12°N 19.51°W / 44.12; -19.51 [90][94][92]
LADEE
LADEE fires small engines.jpg
  United States 2014 547 248 Crashed (post-mission) [ ⚑ ] 10°48′N 91°36′W / 10.8°N 91.6°W / 10.8; -91.6
Chang'e 4 lander
ChangE-4 - PCAM.png
  China 2019 2,600 1,200 Landed/operational 077.250 [ ⚑ ] 45°27′22″S 177°35′19″E / 45.4561°S 177.5885°E / -45.4561; 177.5885


[95]
Chang'e 4
Yutu-2 rover
ChangE-4, Yutu-2 (cropped).png
  China 2019 2,600 1,200 Landed/operational 077.250 [ ⚑ ] 45°27′22″S 177°35′19″E / 45.4561°S 177.5885°E / -45.4561; 177.5885


[96]
Beresheet
Beresheet model on Habima Square 20190222 01.jpg
  Israel 2019 330 150 Crashed[97][98] [ ⚑ ] 32°35′44″N 19°20′59″E / 32.5956°N 19.3496°E / 32.5956; 19.3496
Longjiang-2  China 2019 104 47 Crashed (post-mission)[99] [ ⚑ ] 16°41′44″N 159°31′01″E / 16.6956°N 159.5170°E / 16.6956; 159.5170 (Longjiang-2 impact site) [100]
Chandrayaan-2
Vikram lander
Pragyan rover
GSLV Mk III M1, Chandrayaan-2 - Pragyan rover mounted on the ramp of Vikram lander.jpg
  India 2019 3,243 1,471 Crashed[101] [ ⚑ ] 70°52′52″S 22°47′02″E / 70.8810°S 22.7840°E / -70.8810; 22.7840 [102]
Chang'e 5 descent stage
Chang-e-5-Descender-Lander-assembly-CG-2.jpg
  China 2020 <18,077 <8,200 Landed [ ⚑ ] 43°05′56″N 51°50′13″W / 43.099°N 51.837°W / 43.099; -51.837
Chang'e 5 ascent stage
Chang'e-5 mockup at CSTM 03.jpg
  China 2020 >400 >882 Crashed (post-mission) [ ⚑ ] 30°00′00″S 0°00′00″E / 30.000°S 0.000°E / -30.000; 0.000
Chang'e 5-T1 third stage rocket  China 2022 6100 2,800 Crashed (post-mission) [ ⚑ ] 5°13′34″N 125°30′50″W / 5.226°N 125.514°W / 5.226; -125.514 [103][104]
Manfred Memorial Moon Mission  Luxembourg 2022 31 14 Crashed (post-mission together with Chang'e 5-T1 third stage rocket)
Hakuto-R Mission 1  Japan 2023 750 340 Crashed [ ⚑ ] 47°34′52″N 44°05′38″E / 47.581°N 44.094°E / 47.581; 44.094 [105]
Emirates Lunar Mission  United Arab Emirates
Luna 25
Maquette-Luna-Glob-Lander-b-DSC 0075.jpg
  Russia 2023 3,860 1,750 Crashed [ ⚑ ] 57°51′54″S 61°21′36″E / 57.865°S 61.360°E / -57.865; 61.360 [106][107]
Chandrayaan-3
Vikram lander
Pragyan rover
Chandrayaan-3 Integrated Module in clean-room 01.webp
  India 2023 3,863 1,752 Landed [ ⚑ ] 69°22′23″S 32°19′08″E / 69.373°S 32.319°E / -69.373; 32.319 [108][109]
SLIM
SLIM half scale model (cropped).png
  Japan 2024 259.4 118.7 Landed [ ⚑ ] 13°18′58″S 25°15′04″E / 13.316°S 25.251°E / -13.316; 25.251 [110]
LEV-1  Japan 2024 2.1 4.6 Landed [ ⚑ ] 13°18′58″S 25°15′04″E / 13.316°S 25.251°E / -13.316; 25.251 [110]
LEV-2  Japan 2024 0.25 0.55 Landed [ ⚑ ] 13°18′58″S 25°15′04″E / 13.316°S 25.251°E / -13.316; 25.251 [110]
Total estimated dry mass 454,056 205,988

Image gallery

Map of the Moon showing some landing sites. (Click to enlarge)
Surveyor 3 on the Moon, photographed by Alan Bean during Apollo 12 (1969)
Locations of retro reflector experiments
Lunar Laser Ranging experiment (LRRR)
Map of all soft landings

See also


Notes

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 Spacecraft was in lunar orbit but is assumed to have decayed from orbit and crashed into the Moon, location unknown.
  2. ↑ Portions recovered by Apollo 12 in 1969: it returned about 10 kilograms (22 lb) of the Surveyor 3's original landing mass of 302 kilograms (666 lb) to Earth to study the effects of long term exposure.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 The ascent stage of Apollo 10 was commanded to fire its engine, left lunar orbit and entered solar orbit. The ascent stage of Apollo 11 was left in orbit and thereafter its orbit possibly decayed and it crashed onto the Moon at an unknown location. The Apollo 16 ascent stage failed to crash onto moon when commanded and it decayed from orbit at a later date and also crashed at an unknown location. The ascent stages of the remaining successful missions (Apollo 12, 14, 15, and 17) were each deliberately crashed onto the Moon. Apollo 13's complete Apollo Lunar Module re-entered Earth's atmosphere after having served as a lifeboat during the aborted mission.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Luna program sample return mission; mass listed is for both ascent and descent stages, though only the descent stage was left on the Moon.
  5. ↑ Lander and rover weighed 4,000 pounds (1,814 kg); the rest assumed to have decayed in orbit and impacted the Moon.
  6. ↑ Was injected into lunar orbit in 1990, assumed to have decayed from orbit.
  7. ↑ –2.36 miles (–3.80 km) in elevation (Cabeus crater).
  8. ↑ –2.38 miles (–3.83 km) in elevation (Cabeus crater).

References

  1. ↑ Miller, Scott (2023-06-02). "How Many Golf Balls Are On The Moon?" (in en-US). https://golfercraze.com/how-many-golf-balls-are-on-the-moon/. 
  2. ↑ Slava G. Turyshev – From Quantum to Cosmos: Fundamental Physics Research in Space (2009) – Page 300
  3. ↑ "Launch Event Video: Bright Moon - Creating a Global Registry of Lunar Activities April 23". 2023-05-08. https://www.openlunar.org/library/launch-event-bright-moon. 
  4. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog – Luna 2". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1959-014A. 
  5. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog – Luna 2". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1959-014A. 
  6. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog – Ranger 4". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1962-012A. 
  7. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog – Ranger 6". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1964-007A. 
  8. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog – Ranger 7". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1964-041A. 
  9. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog – Luna 5". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1965-036A. 
  10. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog – Luna 7". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1965-077A. 
  11. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog – Luna 8". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1965-099A. 
  12. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Ranger 8". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1965-010A. 
  13. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Ranger 9". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1965-023A. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Luna 9". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-006A. 
  15. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Luna 10". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-027A. 
  16. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Luna 11". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-078A. 
  17. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Luna 12". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-094A. 
  18. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Surveyor 1". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-045A. 
  19. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Luna 13". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-116A. 
  20. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Lunar Orbiter 1". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-073A. 
  21. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Surveyor 2". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-084A. 
  22. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Lunar Orbiter 2". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1966-100A. 
  23. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Lunar Orbiter 3". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1967-008A. 
  24. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Surveyor 3". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1967-035A. 
  25. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Lunar Orbiter 4". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1967-041A. 
  26. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Surveyor 4". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1967-068A. 
  27. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Explorer 35 (IMP-E)". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1967-070A. 
  28. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Lunar Orbiter 5". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1967-075A. 
  29. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Surveyor 5". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1967-084A. 
  30. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Surveyor 6". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1967-112A. 
  31. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Surveyor 7". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1968-001A. 
  32. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Luna 14". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1968-027A. 
  33. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Apollo 10 LM(Snoopy) descent stage". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1969-043A. 
  34. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Apollo 11 LM descent stage". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1969-059C. 
  35. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Luna 15". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1969-058A. 
  36. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Apollo 11 LM ascent stage". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1969-059C. 
  37. ↑ "New Evidence Suggests Apollo 11's Lunar Ascent Module Could Still Be Orbiting the Moon". https://www.discovermagazine.com/technology/new-evidence-suggests-apollo-11s-lunar-ascent-module-could-still-be-orbiting. 
  38. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Apollo 12 LM descent stage". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1969-099C. 
  39. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Apollo 12 LM ascent stage". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1969-099C. 
  40. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Luna 16 descent stage". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1970-072A. 
  41. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Luna 17/Lunokhod 1". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1970-095A. 
  42. ↑ Astronautix.com, Apollo 13 : The S-IVB/IU impacted the lunar surface at 8:10 p.m. EST on April 14 at a speed of 259 meters per second (incorrect, should probably be 2590 meters/sec), […] 137.1 kilometers from the Apollo 12 seismometer.
  43. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Apollo 13 S-IVB". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1970-029B. 
  44. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Luna 18". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1971-073A. 
  45. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Luna 19". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1971-082A. 
  46. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Apollo 14 SIVB". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1971-008B. 
  47. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Apollo 14 LM descent stage". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1971-008C. 
  48. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Apollo 14 LM ascent stage". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1971-008C. 
  49. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Apollo 15 SIVB". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1971-063B. 
  50. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Apollo 15 LM descent stage". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1971-063C. 
  51. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Apollo 15 LM ascent stage". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1971-063C. 
  52. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Apollo 15 subsatellite". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1971-063D. 
  53. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Luna 20". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1972-007A. 
  54. ↑ "Found! Apollo 16 S-IVB Impact Crater | Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera". http://lroc.sese.asu.edu/posts/894. 
  55. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Apollo 16 descent stage". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1972-031C. 
  56. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Apollo 16 ascent stage". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1972-031C. 
  57. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Apollo 16 Subsatellite". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1972-031D. 
  58. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Apollo 17 S-IVB". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1972-096B. 
  59. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Apollo 17 descent stage". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1972-096C. 
  60. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Apollo 17 ascent stage". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1972-096C. 
  61. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Luna 21/Lunokhod 2". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1973-001A. 
  62. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Explorer 49/RAE-B". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1973-039A. 
  63. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Luna 22". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1974-037A. 
  64. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Luna 23". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1974-084A. 
  65. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Luna 24". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1976-081A. 
  66. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Hagoromo/Hiten Orbiter". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1990-007B. 
  67. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Hiten". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1990-007A. 
  68. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Lunar Prospector". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1998-001A. 
  69. ↑ "University of Texas Engineering News - Lunar Prospector Impact Location Estimate". http://research.ae.utexas.edu/cfpl/lunar/pressrelease/discussion.html. 
  70. ↑ Klesman, Alison (22 Sep 2017). "New observations reveal a lunar orbiter's final resting place". http://astronomy.com/news/2017/09/a-lunar-orbiters-final-resting-place. 
  71. ↑ "Information furnished in conformity with the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space". 10 November 2009. http://www.unoosa.org/documents/pdf/ser570E.pdf. 
  72. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Moon Impact Probe / Chandrayaan 1". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2008-052A. 
  73. ↑ "Frontline India's National Magazine - Moon Mystery - Moon Impact Probe impact coordinates". http://www.flonnet.com/fl2720/stories/20101008272009000.htm. 
  74. ↑ "JAXA Press Release (PDF)" (in ja). JAXA. 2009-02-18. http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2009/02/20090218_sac_kaguya.pdf. 
  75. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Okina (Rstar) - Kaguya". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2007-039A. 
  76. ↑ "JAXA 18 February 2009 SELENE status - Okina (Rstar) impact estimate position - (page 3 in Japanese translated with Babelfish)". http://www.jaxa.jp/press/2009/02/20090218_sac_kaguya.pdf. 
  77. ↑ "NSSDCA — Spacecraft — Details". 2023-10-20. https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2007-039A. 
  78. ↑ 78.0 78.1 "Upcoming International Missions to the Moon" (PPT). NASA. 2007-01-11. http://ssedso.gsfc.nasa.gov/initiatives/lunar/LESWG/pubs_presentations/4thGM/bk_International_missions_lakew.ppt.  / cf. 2.3t with fuel ("Spacecrafts [sic] launched in 2007". http://claudelafleur.qc.ca/Spacecrafts-2007.html#Change-1. )
  79. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Chang'e 1". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2007-051A. 
  80. ↑ "China People's Daily Online, 2 March 2009 - Chang'e-1 impacts moon (coordinates)". http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90781/90876/6603492.html. 
  81. ↑ "JAXA HOT TOPICS". JAXA. 2009-06-11. http://www.jaxa.jp/topics/2009/06_e.html. 
  82. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - KAGUYA (SELENE)". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2007-039A. 
  83. ↑ "JAXA Selenological & Engineering Explorer - KAGUYA (SELENE) impact coordinates". http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/sat/selene/index_e.html. 
  84. ↑ "Guide to Seeing the LCROSS Lunar Impact". http://spacefellowship.com/2009/10/08/guide-to-seeing-the-lcross-lunar-impact/. 
  85. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - LCROSS Shepherding Spacecraft". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2007-051A. 
  86. ↑ "Guide to Seeing the LCROSS Lunar Impact". http://spacefellowship.com/2009/10/08/guide-to-seeing-the-lcross-lunar-impact/. 
  87. ↑ "NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - LCROSS Centaur". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2007-051A. 
  88. ↑ "NASA Probes Prepare for Mission-Ending Moon Impact". http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?release=2012-396&cid=release_2012-396. 
  89. ↑ "China's Jade Rabbit moon rover dead after 31 months on surface". https://www.newscientist.com/article/2099696-chinas-jade-rabbit-moon-rover-dead-after-31-months-on-surface/. 
  90. ↑ 90.0 90.1 Wall, Mike (March 12, 2015). "The Moon's History Is Surprisingly Complex, Chinese Rover Finds". Space.com. http://www.space.com/28810-moon-history-chinese-lunar-rover.html?adbid=10152690360766466&adbpl=fb&adbpr=17610706465. 
  91. ↑ Andrew Jones. "China's telescope on the Moon is still working, and could do for 30 years". GBTimes. https://gbtimes.com/chinas-telescope-moon-still-working-and-could-do-30-years. 
  92. ↑ 92.0 92.1 "The Chang'e-3 lunar lander is still waking up after nearly five years on the Moon". GB Times. 25 June 2018. https://gbtimes.com/the-change-3-lunar-lander-is-still-waking-up-after-nearly-five-years-on-the-moon. 
  93. ↑ "China's Jade Rabbit moon rover dead after 31 months on surface". https://www.newscientist.com/article/2099696-chinas-jade-rabbit-moon-rover-dead-after-31-months-on-surface/. 
  94. ↑ Andrew Jones. "China's telescope on the Moon is still working, and could do for 30 years". GBTimes. https://gbtimes.com/chinas-telescope-moon-still-working-and-could-do-30-years. 
  95. ↑ Robinson, Mark (30 April 2019). "Topographic Map of the Chang'e 4 Site". http://www.lroc.asu.edu/posts/1100. 
  96. ↑ Robinson, Mark (30 April 2019). "Topographic Map of the Chang'e 4 Site". http://www.lroc.asu.edu/posts/1100. 
  97. ↑ Robinson, Mark. "Beresheet Crash Site Spotted!". https://www.lroc.asu.edu/posts/1101. 
  98. ↑ "Israeli spacecraft Beresheet crash site spotted on moon" (in en-us). https://phys.org/news/2019-05-israeli-spacecraft-beresheet-site-moon.html. 
  99. ↑ "Lunar Orbiter Longjiang-2 Smashes into Moon" (in en). http://www.planetary.org/blogs/guest-blogs/2019/longjiang-2-impacts-moon.html. 
  100. ↑ "Longjiang-2 Impact Site Found! | Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera". http://lroc.sese.asu.edu/posts/1132. 
  101. ↑ "New details emerge about failed lunar landings" (in en-US). 2019-11-21. https://spacenews.com/new-details-emerge-about-failed-lunar-landings/. 
  102. ↑ "Vikram Lander Found | Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera". http://lroc.sese.asu.edu/posts/1131. 
  103. ↑ Mystery Rocket Body Found!, http://lroc.sese.asu.edu/posts/1261, retrieved 30 June 2022 
  104. ↑ Foust, Jeff (13 February 2022). "Chinese rocket, not Falcon 9, linked to upper stage on lunar impact trajectory". https://spacenews.com/chinese-rocket-not-falcon-9-linked-to-upper-stage-on-lunar-impact-trajectory/. 
  105. ↑ "Impact Site of the HAKUTO-R Mission 1 Lunar Lander". http://lroc.sese.asu.edu/posts/1302. 
  106. ↑ Zak, Anatoly (19 August 2023). "Luna-Glob mission lifts off". RussianSpaceWeb. https://www.russianspaceweb.com/luna-glob-flight.html. 
  107. ↑ Steigerwald, Bill (2023-08-30). "NASA’s LRO Observes Crater Likely from Luna 25 Impact". http://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2023/lro-luna-25-impact. 
  108. ↑ (in en) Chandrayaan 3 - After The Landing What Happens Next?, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=howp3hl5Zag, retrieved 2023-08-28 
  109. ↑ Jones, Andrew (23 August 2023). "Chandrayaan-3: India becomes fourth country to land on the moon". SpaceNews.com. https://spacenews.com/chandrayaan-3-india-becomes-fourth-country-to-land-on-the-moon/. 
  110. ↑ 110.0 110.1 110.2 Jones, Andrew (19 January 2024). "Japan makes history with tense, successful moon landing". SpaceNews.com. https://spacenews.com/japan-makes-history-with-tense-successful-moon-landing/. 

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