| Date |
Time (UTC) |
Event |
| 1970 Jan 5 |
07:12 |
Cosmos 317 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Jan 9 |
09:20 |
Cosmos 318 (Zenit-2M 11Ф690, Gektor) launched into 201 x 279 kilometre, 89.3 minutes period, 65 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Photo-reconnaissance satellite. |
| 1970 Jan 21 |
07:01 |
Cosmos 318 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Jan 21 |
12:00 |
Cosmos 322 (Zenit-4 11Ф69) launched into 195 x 318 kilometre, 89.6 minutes period, 65.4 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Second generation photo-reconnaissance satellite with higher-resolution camera system. |
| 1970 Jan 29 |
06:43 |
Cosmos 322 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Feb 6 |
04:16 |
E-8-5-405 spacecraft launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome by four-stage Proton rocket towards a low orbit around the Earth at 51.5 degrees inclination - its mission is to enter orbit around the Moon, then land and return a soil sample to Earth, but the launcher fails and the spacecraft fails to reach orbit |
| 1970 Feb 10 |
12:00 |
Cosmos 323 (Zenit-4 11Ф69) launched into 200 x 314 kilometre, 89.6 minutes period, 65.4 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Second generation photo-reconnaissance satellite with higher-resolution camera system. |
| 1970 Feb 18 |
06:43 |
Cosmos 323 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Mar 4 |
12:14 |
Cosmos 325 (Zenit-2 11Ф61 №73) launched into 200 x 327 kilometre, 89.8 minutes period, 65.4 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Photo reconnaissance satellite. |
| 1970 Mar 12 |
07:12 |
Cosmos 325 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Mar 13 |
08:00 |
Cosmos 326 (Zenit-2 11Ф61 №74) launched into 206 x 230 kilometre, 88.9 minutes period, 81.4 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Photo reconnaissance satellite. |
| 1970 Mar 21 |
05:16 |
Cosmos 326 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Mar 27 |
11:45 |
Cosmos 328 (Zenit-4MK, Germes) launched into 200 x 305 kilometre, 89.6 minutes period, 72.9 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Variant of the manoeuvrable Zenit-4M but with high resolution cameras. |
| 1970 Apr 3 |
08:30 |
Cosmos 329 (Zenit-2M 11Ф690, Gektor) launched into 197 x 227 kilometre, 88.8 minutes period, 81.3 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Photo-reconnaissance satellite. |
| 1970 Apr 8 |
10:15 |
Cosmos 331 (Zenit-4 11Ф69) launched into 206 x 323 kilometre, 89.8 minutes period, 65 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Second generation photo-reconnaissance satellite with higher-resolution camera system. |
| 1970 Apr 9 |
06:14 |
Cosmos 328 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Apr 15 |
05:31 |
Cosmos 329 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Apr 15 |
09:00 |
Cosmos 333 (Zenit-4M, Rotor) launched into 213 x 233 kilometre, 89 minutes period, 81.4 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Upgraded Zenit-4 photo-reconnaissance satellite with orbit-adjustment engine. |
| 1970 Apr 16 |
08:24 |
Cosmos 331 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Apr 28 |
05:31 |
Cosmos 333 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 May 12 |
10:10 |
Cosmos 344 (Zenit-2 11Ф61 №81) launched into 201 x 328 kilometre, 89.8 minutes period, 72.9 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Photo reconnaissance satellite. Partial failure as a result of a fault in the SA-10B camera on orbit 42 (day 3). This was the final a Zenit-2. |
| 1970 May 20 |
06:50 |
Cosmos 344 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 May 20 |
09:20 |
Cosmos 345 (Zenit-4 11Ф69) launched into 194 x 272 kilometre, 89.1 minutes period, 51.7 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Second generation photo-reconnaissance satellite with higher-resolution camera system. |
| 1970 May 28 |
08:53 |
Cosmos 345 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Jun 10 |
09:30 |
Cosmos 346 (Zenit-4 11Ф69) launched into 200 x 278 kilometre, 89.2 minutes period, 51.7 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Second generation photo-reconnaissance satellite with higher-resolution camera system. |
| 1970 Jun 17 |
09:36 |
Cosmos 346 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Jun 17 |
12:59 |
Cosmos 349 (Zenit-4 11Ф69) launched into 198 x 331 kilometre, 89.8 minutes period, 65.4 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Second generation photo-reconnaissance satellite with higher-resolution camera system. |
| 1970 Jun 25 |
07:55 |
Cosmos 349 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Jun 26 |
12:00 |
Cosmos 350 (Zenit-2M 11Ф690, Gektor) launched into 203 x 258 kilometre, 89 minutes period, 51.7 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Photo-reconnaissance satellite. |
| 1970 Jul 7 |
10:30 |
Cosmos 352 (Zenit-4 11Ф69) launched into 205 x 293 kilometre, 89.4 minutes period, 51.8 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Second generation photo-reconnaissance satellite with higher-resolution camera system. |
| 1970 Jul 8 |
10:19 |
Cosmos 350 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Jul 9 |
13:35 |
Cosmos 353 (Zenit-2M 11Ф690, Gektor) launched into 204 x 284 kilometre, 89.4 minutes period, 65.4 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Photo-reconnaissance satellite. |
| 1970 Jul 15 |
09:22 |
Cosmos 352 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Jul 21 |
|
Zenit-4 11Ф69 launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Second generation photo-reconnaissance satellite with higher-resolution camera system - failed to reach orbit. |
| 1970 Jul 21 |
06:58 |
Cosmos 353 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Aug 7 |
09:30 |
Cosmos 355 (Zenit-4 11Ф69) launched into 198 x 325 kilometre, 89.8 minutes period, 65.4 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Second generation photo-reconnaissance satellite with higher-resolution camera system. |
| 1970 Aug 15 |
04:19 |
Cosmos 355 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Aug 29 |
08:30 |
Cosmos 360 (Zenit-4M, Rotor) launched into 204 x 311 kilometre, 89.7 minutes period, 65 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Upgraded Zenit-4 photo-reconnaissance satellite with orbit-adjustment engine. |
| 1970 Sep 8 |
06:58 |
Cosmos 360 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Sep 8 |
10:30 |
Cosmos 361 (Zenit-4M, Rotor) launched into 207 x 297 kilometre, 89.6 minutes period, 72.9 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Upgraded Zenit-4 photo-reconnaissance satellite with orbit-adjustment engine. |
| 1970 Sep 12 |
13:25 |
Luna 16 (E-8-5-406) launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome by four-stage Proton rocket into 185 x 241 kilometre orbit around the Earth at 51.5 degrees inclination - its mission is to enter orbit around the Moon, then land and return a soil sample to Earth |
| 1970 Sep 12 |
14:34 |
Final stage of Luna 16 launching rocket fired to place it into a trajectory towards the Moon |
| 1970 Sep 13 |
|
Luna 16 rocket engine is used to correct its trajectory towards the Moon |
| 1970 Sep 16 |
23:38 |
Luna 16 fires its rocket engine and and enters a 110 kilometre circular orbit around the Moon at 70 degrees inclination |
| 1970 Sep 17 |
08:10 |
Cosmos 363 (Zenit-2M 11Ф690, Gektor) launched into 207 x 293 kilometre, 89.5 minutes period, 65 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Photo-reconnaissance satellite. |
| 1970 Sep 18 |
|
After firing its onboard rocket engine, Luna 16 orbit around the Moon is 15 x 110 kilometres at 70 degrees inclination |
| 1970 Sep 19 |
|
After firing its onboard rocket engine, Luna 16 orbit around the Moon is 15 x 106 kilometres at 71 degrees inclination |
| 1970 Sep 20 |
03:06 |
Luna 16 computer takes control of the landing sequence |
| 1970 Sep 20 |
03:41 |
Luna 16 orbit takes it behind the Moon for the last time - radio communication is lost |
| 1970 Sep 20 |
04:31 |
Luna 16 re-appears from behind the Moon and radio communication is re-established |
| 1970 Sep 20 |
05:12 |
Luna 16 fires its rocket engine and begins its descent towards a landing on the Moon surface |
| 1970 Sep 20 |
05:18 |
Luna 16 lands on the Moon at 0.68 degrees south, 56.30 degrees east in the Mare Foecundatis |
| 1970 Sep 20 |
06:30 |
Luna 16 uses a hollow drill to collect a 35 centimetre long core sample of the lunar surface - the operation takes seven minutes and the sample weighs 101 grammes |
| 1970 Sep 21 |
04:48 |
Cosmos 361 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Sep 21 |
07:43 |
Luna 16 return stage fires its rocket motor and begins its journey back to Earth |
| 1970 Sep 22 |
13:00 |
Cosmos 364 (Zenit-4MK, Germes) launched into 206 x 309 kilometre, 89.7 minutes period, 65.4 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Variant of the manoeuvrable Zenit-4M but with high resolution cameras. |
| 1970 Sep 24 |
01:50 |
Luna 16 re-entry capsule separates from its spent rocket stage at a distance of 50,000 kilometres from Earth |
| 1970 Sep 24 |
05:10 |
Luna 16 re-entry capsule hits the upper layers of the atmosphere |
| 1970 Sep 24 |
05:14 |
Luna 16 re-entry capsule deploys its parachute |
| 1970 Sep 24 |
05:26 |
Luna 16 re-entry capsule touches down 80 kilometres south-east of Dzhezhkazgan |
| 1970 Sep 29 |
05:02 |
Cosmos 363 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Oct 1 |
08:20 |
Cosmos 366 (Zenit-2M 11Ф690, Gektor) launched into 202 x 294 kilometre, 89.5 minutes period, 65 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Photo-reconnaissance satellite. |
| 1970 Oct 2 |
07:12 |
Cosmos 364 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Oct 8 |
12:39 |
Cosmos 368 (Zenit-2M 11Ф690, Gektor) launched into 203 x 400 kilometre, 90.6 minutes period, 65 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Biological research satellite. |
| 1970 Oct 9 |
11:04 |
Cosmos 370 (Zenit-4M, Rotor) launched into 202 x 287 kilometre, 89.4 minutes period, 64.9 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Upgraded Zenit-4 photo-reconnaissance satellite with orbit-adjustment engine. |
| 1970 Oct 13 |
07:12 |
Cosmos 366 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Oct 14 |
12:14 |
Cosmos 368 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Oct 22 |
07:12 |
Cosmos 370 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Oct 30 |
13:20 |
Cosmos 376 (Zenit-4M, Rotor) launched into 206 x 285 kilometre, 89.4 minutes period, 65.4 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Upgraded Zenit-4 photo-reconnaissance satellite with orbit-adjustment engine. |
| 1970 Nov 10 |
14:44 |
Luna 17 (E-8-203) launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome by four-stage Proton rocket into 192 x 237 kilometre orbit around the Earth at 51.5 degrees inclination - its mission is to enter orbit around the Moon and then land the Lunokhod 1 remote-controlled roving vehicle on its surface |
| 1970 Nov 10 |
15:54 |
Final stage of Luna 17 launching rocket fired to place it into a trajectory towards the Moon |
| 1970 Nov 11 |
09:20 |
Cosmos 377 (Zenit-2M 11Ф690, Gektor) launched into 203 x 286 kilometre, 89.4 minutes period, 65 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Photo-reconnaissance satellite. |
| 1970 Nov 12 |
|
Luna 17 rocket engine is used to correct its trajectory towards the Moon |
| 1970 Nov 12 |
06:29 |
Cosmos 376 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Nov 14 |
|
Luna 17 rocket engine is used to correct its trajectory towards the Moon |
| 1970 Nov 15 |
22:00 |
Approx time - Luna 17 enters 85 kilometre circular orbit around the Moon at 141 degrees inclination |
| 1970 Nov 17 |
|
After firing its onboard rocket engine, Luna 17 orbit around the Moon is now 19 x 85 kilometres at 141 degrees inclination |
| 1970 Nov 17 |
03:41 |
Luna 17 fires its rocket engine and begins its descent towards a landing on the Moon surface |
| 1970 Nov 17 |
03:47 |
Luna 17 lands on the Moon at 38.28 degrees north, 35 degrees wast in the Mare Imbrium |
| 1970 Nov 17 |
04:20 |
Radio links with the Lunokhod 1 moon rover are established for the first time |
| 1970 Nov 17 |
05:31 |
Lunokhod 1 returns its first TV image of the lunar surface |
| 1970 Nov 17 |
06:28 |
Lunokhod 1 descends a pair of ramps on Luna 17 landing stage and moves onto the moon surface |
| 1970 Nov 22 |
|
Lunokhod 1 is parked for the lunar night, having travelled 197 metres, returned 14 close up pictures of the Moon, and sent back 12 panoramic views during 10 communications sessions, and conducted analyses of the lunar soil - its protective 'lid' which carries a solar panel is closed |
| 1970 Nov 23 |
07:12 |
Cosmos 377 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Dec 3 |
13:55 |
Cosmos 383 (Zenit-4MK, Germes) launched into 181 x 301 kilometre, 89.3 minutes period, 65.4 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Variant of the manoeuvrable Zenit-4M but with high resolution cameras. |
| 1970 Dec 5 |
|
A laser signal is directed at the French-built laser reflector on Lunokhod 1 and is used to measure the precise distance from the Earth to the Moon |
| 1970 Dec 6 |
|
A second laser reflection experiment is performed with Lunokhod 1 |
| 1970 Dec 9 |
|
Lunokhod 1 'lid' is opened and its batteries begin to charge |
| 1970 Dec 10 |
|
Lunokhod 1 begins its second lunar day experimental programme |
| 1970 Dec 10 |
11:10 |
Cosmos 384 (Zenit-2M 11Ф690, Gektor) launched into 202 x 291 kilometre, 89.5 minutes period, 72.9 deg inclination orbit from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Photo-reconnaissance satellite. |
| 1970 Dec 15 |
10:00 |
Cosmos 386 (Zenit-4M, Rotor) launched into 214 x 275 kilometre, 89.4 minutes period, 65 deg inclination orbit from the Baikonur Cosmodrome by Voskhod 11A57 rocket. Upgraded Zenit-4 photo-reconnaissance satellite with orbit-adjustment engine. |
| 1970 Dec 16 |
06:29 |
Cosmos 383 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Dec 22 |
|
Lunokhod 1 is parked for its second lunar night, 1,370 metres away from Luna 17, and having travelled a further 1,522 metres and continued its programme of photography and soil measurements - its protective 'lid' is closed |
| 1970 Dec 22 |
06:29 |
Cosmos 384 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
| 1970 Dec 28 |
07:12 |
Cosmos 386 descent module lands for recovery after being commanded to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. |
