To the Moon and Back Again is the title of the free thematic tours to be offered by the Cosmonautics and Aviation Centre at VDNH on 24 August 2021 to mark 55 years since the launch of the Soviet lunar station Luna-11.
On 24 August, at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., visitors to the Cosmonautics and Aviation Centre will be offered free tours about the Soviet interplanetary station Luna-11 and other Soviet missions to the Earth's natural satellite.
Prominently displayed for visitors' cognisance will be a lunar globe, full-size replicas of the Soviet lunar stations Luna-3 and Luna-17, as well as the Soviet lunar rover. Visitors will be able to take a good look at genuine lunar soil. Visitors will learn about the decades of lunar research, whether there is water or dense atmosphere on the Moon, which side of the Moon the Sea of Moscow is located on and how many humans have set foot on the surface of the Moon.
Prior registration is required, the age limit is 12+.
The Luna-11 station was launched on the booster rocket Molniya-M from the Baikonur launch site on 24 August 1966. The station reached its designated lunar orbit on 27 August the same year. The purpose of the mission was to put a man-made spacecraft in the lunar orbit for the study of the Moon and cis-lunar space, including photography of the lunar surface. The station was contacted in 130 communication sessions during the 34 days of its active life on the lunar orbit. The mission was never completed in full because some instruments malfunctioned and, specifically, no photographs were taken of the lunar surface. Nevertheless, a study of the Moon and its surrounding space was carried out successfully, and the mission returned valuable scientific data.
All events on VDNH grounds follow the applicable anti-coronavirus restrictions. Visitors to VDNH museums and exhibition venues are expected to wear face masks and gloves and maintain social distancing. Click here for more information about the anti-coronavirus measures at VDNH.