Planetary Missions

Question 1

Luna 2

Answer 1

First Spacecraft to reach the lunar surface, 1959

Question 2

Luna 3

Answer 2

First images of the far side of the moon, 1959

Question 3

Ranger 7, 8, 9

Answer 3

1964, 1965, 1965

First US Impactors/ First US to take close-ups of the moon

Question 4

Luna 9

Answer 4

First successful landing on the moon, 1966

Question 5

Luna 10

Answer 5

First Lunar Orbiter, 1966

Question 6

Surveyor 1

Answer 6

First US Soft-landing on the moon, 1966

Question 7

Luna 16

Answer 7

First robotic sample return probe from the Moon, 1970

Question 8

Mariner 2

Answer 8

First Flyby of Venus, 1962

Question 9

Mariner 4

Answer 9

First flyby of Mars, 1965

Question 10

Mariner 10

Answer 10

First Flyby of Mercury, 1974

Question 11

Venera 7

Answer 11

First soft-landing on Venus, 1970

Question 12

Mariner 9

Answer 12

First Mars Orbiter, 1971

Question 13

Viking 1 and 2

Answer 13

First Soft-Landing on Mars, 1976

Question 14

Pioneer 10

Answer 14

First Flyby of an Outer Planet/Jupiter, 1973

Question 15

First mission to encounter a comet

Answer 15

Giotto 1986

Question 16

First mission to encounter an asteroid

Answer 16

Galileo, 1991