12 September
1959: On 12 September 1959, the Soviet spacecraft Luna 2 was launched. It became the first Earth-made object to hit the Moon. The spacecraft was sterilised to avoid contaminating the Moon with terrestrial bacteria.
1959: On 12 September 1959, the Soviet spacecraft Luna 2 was launched. It became the first Earth-made object to hit the Moon. The spacecraft was sterilised to avoid contaminating the Moon with terrestrial bacteria.
