Fact Check: USSR was first to land on moon

The Claim: "USSR was first to land on the moon"

The assertion that the USSR was the first to land on the moon requires careful examination of historical context and the specifics of lunar exploration. While the Soviet Union achieved several significant milestones in lunar exploration, the claim as stated lacks nuance and specificity regarding what is meant by "landing on the moon."

What We Know

1. Soviet Lunar Missions: The Soviet Union's Luna program included a series of robotic missions to the moon from 1959 to 1976. Notably, Luna 9, launched on January 31, 1966, was the first spacecraft to achieve a successful soft landing on the moon on February 3, 1966, and it transmitted the first images from the lunar surface back to Earth [[1]](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/lunarussr.html)[[[4]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_programme)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_programme)[[[5]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_landing)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_landing).

2. First Human Landing: The first crewed landing on the moon was accomplished by the United States on July 20, 1969, when Apollo 11's Lunar Module, Eagle, landed and Neil Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the lunar surface [[6]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_missions_to_the_Moon)[[8]](https://www.history.com/news/space-race-soviet-union-moon-landing-denial).

3. Soviet Crewed Lunar Program: The Soviet Union had plans for a crewed lunar landing, but these were never realized. The program faced numerous challenges, including leadership changes and technical difficulties, particularly after the death of chief designer Sergei Korolev in 1966 [[2]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_crewed_lunar_programs)[[[7]](https://www.historytoday.com/archive/soviet-union-first-moon)](https://www.historytoday.com/archive/soviet-union-first-moon)[[[9]](https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/space-missions/soviet-luna-programme)](https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/space-missions/soviet-luna-programme).

4. Continued Lunar Exploration: After the U.S. moon landing, the Soviet Union continued its lunar exploration efforts, including the launch of Luna 16, which returned samples from the moon in 1970, and Luna 17, which deployed the Lunokhod 1 rover in 1970 [1][9].

Analysis

The claim that the USSR was the first to land on the moon can be misleading without clarification. While it is true that the Soviet Union achieved the first soft landing with Luna 9, this was an uncrewed mission. The distinction between robotic and crewed landings is crucial in evaluating the claim.

Source Reliability

• NASA and Historical Sources: The NASA source [3] is credible, as it is an official government agency with a long history of space exploration. However, it primarily focuses on U.S. achievements and may not provide a comprehensive view of the Soviet program.

• Wikipedia Entries: The Wikipedia articles [2][4][5][6] are generally reliable but should be approached with caution due to the collaborative nature of the platform, which can lead to bias or inaccuracies. They do provide a good overview of the Soviet lunar program and its achievements.

• History Today and Scientific American: Articles from History Today [7] and Scientific American [10] offer historical context and analysis but may contain editorial biases. They are useful for understanding the broader implications of the space race and the political context surrounding lunar exploration.

• Conflicts of Interest: Some sources, particularly those focused on national pride or historical narratives, may have inherent biases that affect their portrayal of events. For example, sources emphasizing Soviet achievements may downplay U.S. successes and vice versa.

Methodology and Evidence

The methodology of assessing lunar missions typically involves analyzing mission data, outcomes, and historical documentation. The evidence supporting the claim of the USSR's achievements is well-documented in space exploration history, but the interpretation of these events can vary significantly based on the source.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The claim that the USSR was the first to land on the moon is partially true when considering the context of lunar exploration. The Soviet Union's Luna 9 mission did achieve the first successful soft landing on the moon in 1966, marking a significant milestone in robotic space exploration. However, this was an uncrewed mission, and the first human landing on the moon was accomplished by the United States with Apollo 11 in 1969.

This distinction between robotic and crewed landings is essential for a complete understanding of the claim. While the USSR made notable contributions to lunar exploration, it did not achieve a crewed landing, which is often what is implied by the phrase "first to land on the moon."

It is important to recognize the limitations in the available evidence, as historical interpretations can vary based on the sources consulted. Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider the nuances involved in such claims, particularly in the context of the competitive nature of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Sources

1. Soviet Missions to the Moon - NSSDCA: https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/lunarussr.html
2. Soviet crewed lunar programs - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_crewed_lunar_programs
3. 50 Years Ago: Armstrong Visits the Soviet Union - NASA: https://www.nasa.gov/history/50-years-ago-armstrong-visits-the-soviet-union/
4. Luna programme - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_programme
5. Moon landing - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_landing
6. List of missions to the Moon - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_missions_to_the_Moon
7. The Soviet Union is first to the Moon | History Today: https://www.historytoday.com/archive/soviet-union-first-moon
8. The Soviet Response to the Moon Landing? Denial There Was a ... - HISTORY: https://www.history.com/news/space-race-soviet-union-moon-landing-denial
9. A history of the Soviet Union's moonlanding Luna programme - Sky at Night Magazine: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/space-missions/soviet-luna-programme
10. The Moon Landing through Soviet Eyes: A Q&A with Sergei ... - Scientific American: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/apollo-moon-khrushchev/