Editing Luna 17

{{Short description|1970 Soviet uncrewed lunar mission}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020|cs1-dates=y}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name               = ''Luna 17''
| names_list         = <!--list of previous names if the spacecraft has been renamed. 
Include the dates applicable if possible, and separate each name with a linebreak. 
Omit if the spacecraft has only ever been known by one name. 
Do not include Harvard, COSPAR/NSSDC or SATCAT/NORAD/NASA designations as alternative names-->

<!--image of the spacecraft/mission-->| image              = M127159138LC Luna 17 lander.jpg
| image_caption      = Luna 17 imaged by the [[Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter|LRO]] in 2010
| image_alt          = <!--image alt text-->
| image_size         = <!--include px/em; defaults to 220px-->

<!--Basic details-->| mission_type       = [[Planetary Science]]
| operator           = Soviet space program
| Harvard_designation = <!--spacecraft launched 1962 and earlier only (eg. 1957 Alpha 2)-->
| COSPAR_ID          = 1970-095A
| SATCAT             = 04691
| website            = <!--Homepage of the craft/mission, OFFICIAL PAGES ONLY-->
| mission_duration   = {{Age in days|1970|11|10|1971|09|14}} days
| distance_travelled = <!--How far the spacecraft travelled (if known)-->
| orbits_completed   = <!--number of times the spacecraft orbited the Earth - see below for spacecraft beyond Earth orbit-->
| suborbital_range   = <!--downrange distance reached if spacecraft did not enter orbit-->
| suborbital_apogee  = <!--altitude reached if spacecraft did not enter orbit-->

<!--Spacecraft properties-->| spacecraft         = <!--Spacecraft name/serial number (eg. Space Shuttle ''Discovery'', Apollo CM-118), etc-->
| spacecraft_type    = <!--eg. GPS Block II, Kobalt-M, US-K, etc-->
| spacecraft_bus     = <!--eg. A2100M, Star-2, etc-->
| manufacturer       = [[Lavochkin|GSMZ Lavochkin]]
| launch_mass        = {{Convert|5700|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name=beyond>{{cite book|url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/beyond-earth-tagged.pdf|title=Beyond Earth: A Chronicle of Deep Space Exploration, 1958–2016|last1=Siddiqi|first1=Asif|publisher=NASA History Program Office|edition=second|year=2018|isbn=9781626830431}}</ref>
| BOL_mass           = <!--spacecraft mass in orbit at beginning of operational life, after LEOP phase-->
| landing_mass       = <!--Mass after landing (recovered spacecraft only)-->
| dry_mass           = <!--spacecraft mass in orbit without fuel-->
| payload_mass       = <!--Mass of cargo carried by spacecraft (eg. for Space Shuttle), or total mass of instrumentation/equipment/experiments for mission-->
| dimensions         = <!--body dimensions and solar array span-->
| power              = <!--end-of-life power, in watts-->

<!--Launch details-->| launch_date        = {{start date|1970|11|10|14|44|01|7=Z|df=yes}}<ref name=beyond/>
| launch_rocket      = [[Proton-K|Proton 8K82K]] with [[Blok D]] upper stage
| launch_site        = [[Baikonur Cosmodrome]]
| launch_contractor  = <!--organisation(s) that conducted the launch (eg. United Launch Alliance, Arianespace, etc)-->
| deployment_from    = <!--place where deployed from-->
| deployment_date    = <!--date deployed-->
| entered_service    = <!--date on which the spacecraft entered service, if it did not do so immediately after launch-->
<!-- * - e.g. Proton-M/Briz-M not Proton-M, but Titan IV(401)A not Titan IV(401)A-Centaur-->

<!--end of mission-->| disposal_type      = <!--Whether the spacecraft was deorbited, decommissioned, placed in a graveyard orbit, etc-->
| deactivated        = <!--when craft was decommissioned-->
| destroyed          = <!--when craft was destroyed (if other than by re-entry)-->
| last_contact       = {{end date|1971|09|14|13|05|7=Z|df=yes}}
| recovery_by        = <!--recovered by-->
| recovery_date      = <!--recovery date-->
| decay_date         = <!--when craft re-entered the atmosphere, not needed if it landed-->
| landing_date       = <!--when the spacecraft made a controlled landing, not needed if it did not return intact-->
| landing_site       = <!--where the craft landed; site/runway or coordinates-->
<!--
    The following template should be used for ONE of the three above fields "end_of_mission", "decay" or "landing" if the spacecraft is no longer operational.
    If it landed intact, use it for the landing time, otherwise for the date it ceased operations, or the decay date if it was still operational when it re-entered.
    {{end date|YYYY|MM|DD|hh|mm|ss|TZ=Z}} (for Zulu/UTC) or {{end date|YYYY|MM|DD}} (if time unknown) 
-->

<!--orbit parameters-->
<!--as science-related articles, SI units should be the principal units of measurement, however we usually use {{convert}} to display imperial units in parentheses after the initial values-->| orbit_reference    = <!--geocentric, selenocentric, etc - please link (e.g. [[Geocentric orbit|Geocentric]])-->
| orbit_regime       = <!--high, low, medium, molniya, GSO - please link (e.g. [[Low Earth orbit|Low Earth]] - please don't use acronyms-->
| orbit_longitude    = <!--geosynchronous satellites only-->
| orbit_slot         = <!--Designation of orbital position or slot, if not longitude (e.g plane and position of a GPS satellite)-->
| orbit_semimajor    = <!--semimajor axis-->
| orbit_eccentricity = <!--orbital eccentricity-->
| orbit_periapsis    = <!--periapsis altitude-->
| orbit_apoapsis     = <!--apoapsis altitude-->
| orbit_inclination  = <!--orbital inclination-->
| orbit_period       = <!--time taken to complete an orbit-->
| orbit_RAAN         = <!--right ascension of the ascending node-->
| orbit_arg_periapsis = <!--argument of perigee/periapsis-->
| orbit_mean_anomaly = <!--mean anomaly at epoch, only use in conjunction with an epoch value-->
| orbit_mean_motion  = <!--mean motion of the satellite, usually measured in orbits per day-->
| orbit_repeat       = <!--repeat interval/revisit time-->
| orbit_velocity     = <!--speed at which the spacecraft was travelling at epoch - only use for spacecraft with low orbital eccentricity-->
| orbit_epoch        = <!--the date at which the orbit parameters were correct-->
| orbit_rev_number   = <!--revolution number-->
| apsis              = <!--planet specific apsis term (eg. gee/helion/selene/etc - defaults to generic "apsis")-->
| interplanetary     = <!--Infobox spaceflight/IP can be called multiple times for missions with multiple targets or combined orbiter/lander missions, etc-->
 
{{Infobox spaceflight/IP
   |type                = orbiter
   |object              = [[Moon]]
   |orbits              = <!--number of orbits completed at target body (if applicable and known)-->
   |component           = 
   |arrival_date        = 15 November 1970
   |departure_date      = <!--Date of leaving orbit for orbiters, date of launch for landers which took off again-->
   |location            = 
   |distance            = <!--closest approach distance for flybys, distance travelled on surface for rovers, omit for others-->
   |sample_mass         = <!--mass of samples returned (sample return missions only)-->
   |surface_EVAs        = <!--number of EVAs on the surface-->
   |surface_EVA_time    = <!--time spent on surface EVAs-->
   
   <!--Orbit parameters, ONLY USE IF THE ABOVE ORBIT PARAMETERS SECTION DOESN'T APPLY TO THE TARGET-->
   |periapsis           = <!--periapsis altitude-->
   |apoapsis            = <!--apoapsis altitude--> 
   |inclination         = <!--inclination to the object's equator-->
   |apsis               = selene
 }}

{{Infobox spaceflight/IP
   |type                = lander
   |object              = [[Moon]]
   |orbits              = <!--number of orbits completed at target body (if applicable and known)-->
   |component           = 
   |arrival_date        = 03:46:50, 17 November 1970
   |departure_date      = <!--Date of leaving orbit for orbiters, date of launch for landers which took off again-->
   |location            = {{Coord|38.28|N|35.0|W|globe:Moon|display=inline}} <ref>{{cite web|url = https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1970-095A|title = NASA NSSDC Master Catalog - Luna 17/Lunokhod 1 |access-date = 25 December 2010}}</ref>
   |distance            = <!--closest approach distance for flybys, distance travelled on surface for rovers, omit for others-->
   
   <!--Orbit parameters, ONLY USE IF THE ABOVE ORBIT PARAMETERS SECTION DOESN'T APPLY TO THE TARGET-->
   |periapsis           = <!--periapsis altitude-->
   |apoapsis            = <!--apoapsis altitude--> 
   |inclination         = <!--inclination to the object's equator-->
   |apsis               = <!--planet specific apsis term, as above-->
 }}

{{Infobox spaceflight/IP
   |type                = rover
   |object              = [[Moon]]
   |orbits              = <!--number of orbits completed at target body (if applicable and known)-->
   |component           = [[Lunokhod 1]]
   |arrival_date        = 06:28, 17 November 1970
   |departure_date      = <!--Date of leaving orbit for orbiters, date of launch for landers which took off again-->
   |location            = 
   |distance            = {{convert|10.54|km|abbr=on}}
   
   <!--Orbit parameters, ONLY USE IF THE ABOVE ORBIT PARAMETERS SECTION DOESN'T APPLY TO THE TARGET-->
   |periapsis           = <!--periapsis altitude-->
   |apoapsis            = <!--apoapsis altitude--> 
   |inclination         = <!--inclination to the object's equator-->
   |apsis               = <!--planet specific apsis term, as above-->
 }}

<!--transponder parameters-->| trans_band         = <!--Transponder frequency bands-->
| trans_frequency    = <!--specific frequencies-->
| trans_bandwidth    = <!--bandwidth-->
| trans_capacity     = <!--capacity of the transponders-->
| trans_coverage     = <!--area covered-->
| trans_TWTA         = <!--TWTA output power-->
| trans_EIRP         = <!--equivalent isotropic power-->
| trans_HPBW         = <!--half-power beam width-->

<!--Only use where a spacecraft/mission is part of a clear programme of sequential missions. 
If in doubt, leave it out-->
| programme          = '''[[Luna programme]]'''
| previous_mission   = [[Luna 16]]
| next_mission       = [[Luna 18]]

<!--mission insignia or patch-->
| insignia           = <!--omit the "file" prefix-->
| insignia_caption   = <!--image caption-->
| insignia_alt       = <!--image alt text-->
| insignia_size      = <!--include px/em; defaults to 180px-->
| instruments_list   = {{Infobox spaceflight/Instruments
   |name1=Photographic imaging system
   |name2=X-ray spectrometer
   |name3=Penetrometer
   |name4=Laser reflector
   |name5=Radiation detectors
   |name6=X-ray telescope
   |name7=Odometer/Speedometer
 }}
}}

'''''Luna 17''''' (Ye-8 series) was an [[uncrewed space mission]] of the [[Luna program]], also called '''''Lunik 17'''''. It deployed the first robotic rover onto the surface of the [[Moon]].

== Launch ==
[[File:The Soviet Union 1971 CPA 3986 stamp (Luna 17 Module on Moon).jpg|left|thumb|[[Commemorative stamp]] depicting ''Luna 17'' with ''[[Lunokhod 1]]'' Rover]]
''Luna 17'' was launched from an Earth parking orbit towards the Moon and entered lunar orbit on 15 November 1970. The spacecraft softly landed on the Moon in the [[Mare Imbrium]] (Sea of Rains). The spacecraft had dual ramps by which the payload, ''[[Lunokhod 1]]'', descended to the lunar surface. 

''Lunokhod 1'' was a lunar vehicle formed of a tub-like compartment with a large convex lid on eight independently powered wheels. ''Lunokhod 1'' was equipped with a cone-shaped antenna, a highly directional helical antenna, four teleray [[spectrometer]], an [[X-ray astronomy|x-ray telescope]], [[cosmic-ray]] detectors, and a laser retro-reflector (supplied by France<ref>{{cite web |url=https://spacenews.com/35181scientists-bounce-laser-beams-off-old-soviet-moon-rover/ |title=Scientists Bounce Laser Beams Off Old Soviet Moon Rover |date=May 6, 2013 |author=Leonard David |publisher=Space News}}</ref>) was also included. The vehicle was powered by a [[solar cell]] array mounted on the underside of the lid. 

''Lunokhod 1'' was intended to operate through three lunar days but actually operated for eleven lunar days (eleven Earth months). The operations of Lunokhod officially ceased on 4 October 1971, the anniversary of [[Sputnik 1]], after having traveled over {{convert|10.5|km|mi|abbr=off}} while taking pictures and performing numerous tests.

[[File:Lunokhod1 l 17 with map.jpg|thumb|left|150px|''Luna 17'' and ''Lunokhod 1'' landing site photographed by [[Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter|LRO]] ]]

''Luna 17'' continued the spate of successes in Soviet lunar exploration begun by ''[[Luna 16]]'' and [[Zond 8]]. ''Luna 17'' carried ''Lunokhod 1'', the first in a series of robot lunar roving vehicles whose conception had begun in the early 1960s, originally as part of the piloted lunar landing operations. This was the second attempt to land such a vehicle on the Moon after a failure in February 1969. 

The descent stage was equipped with two landing ramps for the rover, to disembark onto the Moon's surface. 

The {{convert|756|kg|lboz|abbr=off|adj=on}} rover stood about {{convert|1.35|m|ftin|abbr=off}} high and was {{convert|2.15|m|ftin|abbr=off}} across. Each of its eight wheels could be controlled independently for two forward and two reverse speeds. Its top speed was about {{convert|100|m/h|mph}}, with commands issued by a five-man team of "drivers" on Earth who had to deal with the 5-second delay. The set of scientific instruments was powered by solar cells (installed on the inside of the hinged top lid of the rover) and chemical batteries.

After two mid-course corrections en route to the Moon, ''Luna 17'' entered lunar orbit and then landed on the lunar surface at 03:46:50 UT on 17 November 1970 at 38°17' north latitude and 35° west longitude, about {{convert|2500|km|mi|abbr=off}} from the [[Luna 16]] site in the [[Sea of Rains]]. 
[[File:M127159138LC Leonid.jpg|left|thumb|[[Leonid (crater)|Leonid]] crater, with Lunokhod-1 at the upper left]]
The Lunokhod 1 rover rolled over the ramps and onto the lunar surface at 06:28 UT. During its 322 Earth days of operation, the rover traveled {{convert|10.54|km|mi|0|abbr=off}} and returned more than 20,000 TV images and 206 high-resolution panoramas. 

In addition, ''Lunokhod 1'' performed twenty-five soil analyses with its RIFMA X-ray fluorescence spectrometer and used its penetrometer at 500 different locations. 

Controllers finished the last communications session with ''Lunokhod 1'' at 13:05 UT on 14 September 1971. Attempts to reestablish contact were finally discontinued on 4 October.

In March 2010, the [[Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter]] photographed the landing site of ''Luna 17'', showing the lander and tracks of the rover.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lroc.sese.asu.edu/news/index.php?/archives/198-Soviet-Union-Lunar-Rovers.html |title=Soviet Union Lunar Rovers |access-date=20 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410203147/http://lroc.sese.asu.edu/news/index.php?%2Farchives%2F198-Soviet-Union-Lunar-Rovers.html |archive-date=10 April 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  In April 2010, the [[Apache Point Observatory Lunar Laser-ranging Operation]] team announced that with the aid of these photos, they had found the long-lost ''Lunokhod 1'' rover and had received returns from the laser [[retroreflector]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.discovery.com/space/lost-and-found-soviet-lunar-rover.html |title=LOST AND FOUND: SOVIET LUNAR ROVER }}</ref>

{{-}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Solar System|Spaceflight}}
* ''[[Lunokhod 1]]''
* [[Lunokhod programme]]
* [[List of artificial objects on the Moon]]
* [[List of missions to the Moon]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927011930/http://www.zarya.info/Diaries/Luna/Luna17.php Zarya - ''Luna 17'' chronology]

{{Luna programme}}
{{Lunar rovers}}
{{Moon spacecraft}}
{{Orbital launches in 1970}}

[[Category:Luna programme]]
[[Category:1970 in the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Soft landings on the Moon]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched in 1970]]
[[Category:1970 on the Moon]]
[[Category:Successful space missions]]