Luna-16 Automatic Space Station

A scaled model (1:2) of the automatic space station “Luna-16” (Moon-16) in the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics at VDNKh. The station provided in September 1970 a return mission from Earth to the Moon and back to Earth delivering 105 grams of the Moon soil in automated mode for the first time ever. It was designed in the Lavochkin Research and Production Association under the direction of Chief Designer G.N. Babakin.

• Total weight: 5 727 kg
• The weight upon the Moon landing: 1 880 kg
• Re-entry capsule weight: 34 kg

Photo #299 taken on December 28, 2019 during a tour of the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics with my Dear client from Australia, Tyson Hedland.