Luna 19

Luna 19, also known as Lunik 19, was an uncrewed Soviet space mission in the Luna program launched on September 28, 1971. It entered lunar orbit on October 2, 1971, after two midcourse corrections, and operated until November 1, 1972, completing over 4,000 orbits around the Moon. The spacecraft studied the lunar gravitational fields, identified mascons (mass concentrations), analyzed the radiation environment, gamma-active surface, and solar wind. It utilized a Ye-8LS bus design, similar to other advanced missions, with a pressurized container housing scientific instruments. Luna 19 provided panoramic images of the Moon's southern regions and conducted experiments that included occultation studies to determine charged particle concentrations at 10 kilometers altitude. Its mission contributed significantly to lunar science before losing communication after a year of operation.

Luna 19 was part of the Soviet Union's extensive exploration efforts, utilizing advanced technologies similar to those used in other missions like the lunar rovers and sample collectors. The spacecraft’s design allowed it to carry out its scientific objectives effectively, including imaging and experiments that provided valuable data about the Moon’s environment and structure. Its operational lifespan and the volume of data collected made it a significant contributor to lunar research during the 1970s.