Proton | Luna-18

The Lunar Exploration flight Proton | Luna-18 departed Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan atop a Proton, bound for LO.

Launch time
Status
SUCCESS
Operator
Soviet Space Program
Mission type
Lunar Exploration
Rocket
Proton
Launch site
Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan
Launch pad
81/24 (81P)
Payload
—
Target orbit
LO
Proton | Luna-18 cover image

Mission timeline

  1. 1971-09-02T13:40:40.000Z
    Liftoff
    Proton roars off the pad at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Republic of Kazakhstan.
  2. Max-Q
    The vehicle reaches Max Q, the highest aerodynamic load of the flight.
  3. Main engine cutoff (MECO)
    MECO — first-stage propulsion ends after a nominal burn.
  4. Stage separation
    Clean stage separation confirmed.
  5. Second-stage ignition
    The upper-stage engine lights up after separation.
  6. Orbit insertion
    Orbit insertion confirmed — now circling in LO.
  7. Mission success
    All mission objectives achieved.

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