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On this day in space! Aug. 9, 1976: Soviet Luna 24 sample return probe launches to the moon
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Luna 24 was a robotic sample return mission and the third of its kind.
This photo, taken by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, shows the location of the Soviet Luna 24 moon lander on Mare Crisium near a crater.
A Roscosmos illustration of the Luna 24 lunar sample return capsule launching from its lander to return pieces of the moon to Earth in August 1976.
(Image credit: Roscosmos)The Luna sample return missions consisted of a lander equipped with a descent stage, ascent stage and Earth return capsule.
Signup to our newsletter Follow us on GoogleWhile Luna 24 was the last Soviet moon sample return mission, it was not the last for Russia.