Vostok-L 8K72 | Luna-4b

Luna 1960B was the third Soviet attempt to photograph the far side of the Moon, the first being the highly successful Luna 3 mission and the second being the unsuccessful Luna 1960A. Luna 1960B was launched on April 16, 1960. It was designed to replicate the Luna 3 mission, but with higher resolution cameras and a closer approach to the Moon.

Mission Details

  • Launch date: April 16, 1960 at 04:07 PM UTC
  • Launch vehicle: Vostok-L 8K72
  • Operator: Soviet Space Program
  • Launch site: Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan
  • Mission type: Lunar Exploration