Feb 6 1966
From The Space Library
“The lunar research program by means of Luna 9 has been fulfilled and successfully concluded,” Tass reported after LUNA IX had completed 48 hrs. of active life transmitting a total of 10 panoramic photographs of lunar surface. Several hours after the announcement, Jodrell Bank Experimental Station reported it had received 2½ more photos of poor quality. Third picture transmitted by LUNA IX’s instrument package Feb. 4 was shown on Moscow television. During transmission, camera was inclined toward horizon and sun was to the east. Part of spacecraft was visible in the lower left-hand corner of the picture and another part in the lower light, but out of focus because of short distance from camera lens. Soviet astronomer Nikolay Barabashov told Tass photographs confirmed his theory that moon’s surface was “highly pitted, porous and probably covered with numerous rocks and fragments.” LUNA IX “has proved beyond doubt that the upper layer of lunar soil is a sponge like rough textured mass scattered with individual sharp-edged fragments of various sizes.” ‘‘(NYT, 2/7/66, 1, 15; AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 2/7/66, A1, A5)’’
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