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Lot 579W

LUNA 9 SOVIET LUNAR LANDER MODEL.

5 December 2018, 14:00 EST
New York

US$10,000 - US$15,000

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LUNA 9 SOVIET LUNAR LANDER MODEL.

Manufacturer's model of the Luna 9 spacecraft, metal and plastic, 635 mm high overall, on 254 x 254 mm base, Moscow, Lavochkin Research and Production Association Design Bureau, 1980's.

In 1959, the Russians became the first country to put an object on another planetary body with Luna 2. In February, 1966, they went a step further and achieved the first soft landing on the moon, with Luna 9. Cushioned by a landing bag, it touched down and deployed four stabilizing "petals," antennae, and a rotating mirror and camera assembly. It sent back panoramic views of the lunar surface — the first time humans had seen the surface of the moon close-up. A plaque on the base of the model reads (in English) "Luna-9 Automatic Lunar Station Project Presentation Model, January 31. 1966-February 6. 1966. Lavochkin Research and Production Association."

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