On this day in space! Aug. 9, 1976: Soviet Luna 24 sample return probe launches to the moon

Fifty years ago today, the Soviet Union launched Luna twenty-four, the final probe in its lunar program. Space.com reports the robotic lander touched down on Mare Crisium on August sixteenth and collected six ounces of soil samples containing traces of water—about zero point one percent by mass. It marked the end of the Soviet Luna program, whose robotic missions had pioneered lunar exploration from the first spacecraft to reach the moon to the first soft landing.

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