Luna 19
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| Organization: | Soviet Union |
| Major contractors: | GSMZ Lavochkin |
| Mission type: | Planetary Science Lunar orbiter |
| Launch: | September 28, 1971 at 10:00:22 UTC |
| Launch vehicle: | Proton 8K82K + Blok D |
| Mission highlight: | Entered lunar orbit on October 3, 1971 |
| Mission duration: | ~388-days ~October 20, 1972 |
| Mass: | 5,700 kg (5,600 kg dry) |
| NSSDC ID: | 1971-082A |
| Webpage: | NASA NSSDC Master Catalog |
| Orbital elements | |
|---|---|
| Satellite of: | Moon |
| Semimajor axis: | 6,517.8 km |
| Eccentricity: | 0.18 |
| Inclination: | 40.58° |
| Orbital period: | 121.13 min |
| Apoastron: | 140 km |
| Periastron: | 140 km |
| Orbits: | ~4,315 |
| Lunar Landing: | n/a |
| Landing coordinates: |
n/a |
| Lunar liftoff: | n/a |
| Instruments | |
| Imaging system Gamma-ray spectrometer Radio altimeter Meteoroid detectors Magnetometer Cosmic-ray detectors Radiation detectors |
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Luna 19 (a.k.a. Lunik 19) (Ye-8-LS series), was an unmanned space mission of the Luna program. Luna 19 extended the systematic study of lunar gravitational fields and location of mascons (mass concentrations). It also studied the lunar radiation environment, the gamma-active lunar surface, and the solar wind. Photographic coverage via a television system was also obtained.
Luna 19 was the first of the “advanced” lunar orbiters whose design was based upon the same Ye-8-class bus used for the lunar rovers and the sample collectors. For these orbiters, designated Ye-8LS, the basic “lander stage” was topped off by a wheelless Lunokhod-like frame that housed all scientific instrumentation in a pressurized container.
Luna 19 was launched into an earth parking orbit on 28 September, and, from this orbit, was sent toward the Moon. Luna 19 entered an orbit around the Moon on 2 October 1972 after two midcourse corrections on 29 September and 1 October. Initial orbital parameters were 140 x 140 kilometers at 40.58° inclination.
Soon afterward, the spacecraft began its main imaging mission — providing panoramic images of the mountainous region of the Moon between 30° and 60° south latitude and between 20° and 80° east longitude. Other scientific experiments included extensive studies on the shape and strength of the lunar gravitational field and the locations of the mascons. Occultation experiments in May and June 1972 allowed scientists to determine the concentration of charged particles at an altitude of 10 kilometers. Additional studies of the solar wind were evidently coordinated with those performed by the Mars 2 and 3 orbiters and Veneras 7 and 8. Communications with Luna 19 were terminated some time between 3 and 20 October 1972, after a year of operation and more than 4,000 revolutions around the Moon.
| Preceded by: Luna 18 |
Luna programme | Succeeded by: Luna 20 |
| Luna programme |
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| Luna 1958A | Luna 1958B | Luna 1958C | Luna 1 | Luna 1959A | Luna 2 | Luna 3 | Luna 1960A | Luna 1960B | Sputnik 25 | Luna 1963B | Luna 4 | Luna 1964A | Luna 1964B | Cosmos 60 | Luna 1965A | Luna 5 | Luna 6 | Luna 7 | Luna 8 | Luna 9 | Cosmos 111 | Luna 10 | Luna 1966A | Luna 11 | Luna 12 | Luna 13 | Luna 1968A | Luna 14 | Luna 1969A | Luna 1969B | Luna 1969C | Luna 15 | Cosmos 300 | Cosmos 305 | Luna 1970A | Luna 1970B | Luna 16 | Luna 17 | Luna 18 | Luna 19 | Luna 20 | Luna 21 | Luna 22 | Luna 23 | Luna 1975A | Luna 24 | ||||
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