Luna probes

Yes Arthur the USSR was the first to reach the moon, albeit only with a probe. I believe the total number in the Luna series is 24.

I think that the first Luna to actually crash land on the surface was luna 2 (1959) and the first to soft land was actually Luna 9 in 1966 (which took a few photos). It certainly put the green cheese theory to rest 🙂 I am sure NASA was relieved.

Between the Luna, Rangers, Surveyors and Apollos we have managed to litter even the Moon.

Regards

Sauron