Nature is pleased with simplicity. And nature is no dummy.
(Isaac Newton)
While RRA was still contemplating how to avoid future disasters – well, near-disasters, NASA was sending the second mission to the Moon. Lunobegún-11 took off on Thursday, March 26th, 1959. Destination was the Crater Klaproth in the lunar south. The search for water had now begun in earnest. Also, the Kikimora was carrying a Lunikhod, a six-wheeled survey vehicle, this time.
In fact, the area near the lunar south pole had been identified as promising. It offered ideal communications with NSÓ and Achinsk – and it might hold water, somewhere down beneath the rugged surface. That was the great hope. Once water had been found, Dyéstvye Lunyedom – Operation House on the Moon, was going to supersede the current Dyéstvye Luná – Operation Moon.
One would have to bore for the water. If Klaproth was suitable, already the next mission was going to transport drilling equipment. NASA was confident to be able to land Kikimoras in close distance to one another. After all, the landing trestle was remaining in place – and was acting as radio beacon for homing in the next mission. Also, the Lunikhod was designed to remain useable, recharged by solar light.
Acquired routine was telling. Everything went according to plan. By 14:35 Moscow time, Lunobegún-11 was on the way to the Moon.
(Isaac Newton)
While RRA was still contemplating how to avoid future disasters – well, near-disasters, NASA was sending the second mission to the Moon. Lunobegún-11 took off on Thursday, March 26th, 1959. Destination was the Crater Klaproth in the lunar south. The search for water had now begun in earnest. Also, the Kikimora was carrying a Lunikhod, a six-wheeled survey vehicle, this time.
In fact, the area near the lunar south pole had been identified as promising. It offered ideal communications with NSÓ and Achinsk – and it might hold water, somewhere down beneath the rugged surface. That was the great hope. Once water had been found, Dyéstvye Lunyedom – Operation House on the Moon, was going to supersede the current Dyéstvye Luná – Operation Moon.
One would have to bore for the water. If Klaproth was suitable, already the next mission was going to transport drilling equipment. NASA was confident to be able to land Kikimoras in close distance to one another. After all, the landing trestle was remaining in place – and was acting as radio beacon for homing in the next mission. Also, the Lunikhod was designed to remain useable, recharged by solar light.
Acquired routine was telling. Everything went according to plan. By 14:35 Moscow time, Lunobegún-11 was on the way to the Moon.
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