Sixty years ago, Luna 9 softly landed on the Moon for the first time—today scientists are trying to find it again

Soft landing of Luna‑9 – the first image of the lunar surface

*February 3, 1966.* The Soviet automatic interplanetary station Luna‑9 performed the first soft landing on the Moon in history and transmitted to Earth the first photographs of its soil. Launched on January 31 of that year, the mission became a key point in the space race between the USSR and the USA. Prior to it several Soviet spacecraft had failed in attempts to land; Luna‑9 successfully completed the task.

Why this was important
At the time of flight preparation scientists were uncertain about the nature of the lunar surface: could it be like quicksand and swallow any descending vehicle? The successful landing proved that the Moon’s regolith is firm enough for soft landings. This discovery laid the foundation for all subsequent lunar missions, including the Apollo programs.

Luna‑9 technology
* Landing module – a sphere about 60 cm in diameter covered with inflatable shock absorbers (similar to a balloon).

* After separation from the main stage, the module bounced several times and slid across the surface until it stopped.

* Then four “petal‑caps” unfolded, inside of which was a panoramic camera. The camera transmitted a series of images of lunar soil and the horizon in the area of Oceanus Procellarum – the first images of another celestial body taken directly on site.

Where exactly did the station land?
The exact landing spot remained unknown due to the limitations of navigation systems at the time. The module itself was too small (area less than 1 m²) to be easily detected even with modern orbital cameras such as LROC aboard NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.

However enthusiasts continue the search: they analyze LROC images pixel by pixel in the presumed zone. Earlier this year two independent groups announced a possible determination of coordinates:

1. An enthusiast group used a search for a characteristic horizon, comparing Luna‑9 panoramas with modern topographic data.

2. A second team applied machine‑learning algorithms to match images.

The coordinates differ; experts urge confirmation of the location with clearer images, for example from India’s Chandrayaan‑2 orbiter (an agreement has already been reached).

Why this is relevant today
Sixty years after the landing and growing interest in preserving space heritage make these studies especially significant. Modern technologies allow us to uncover the mysteries of the first lunar missions, and the search for Luna‑9 is a vivid example of how history and innovation can go hand in hand.

Enjoy a deeper dive into the mission’s history – read our article dedicated to the 55th anniversary of the station’s descent onto the Moon.