How are politicians like diapers?
You have to change them both often, and for the same reason.
Luna 1In 1959, the first lunar space shot to escape the Earth's gravitational pull was launched by the Soviet Union. Originally named “Cosmic Rocket”, the unmanned mission was retroactively named Luna 1. Just over 8 hours later, instead of impacting the Moon as intended, due to a guidance system error, it passed to within about 4,000 miles (6,400 km). Instead, it became the first spacecraft to enter orbit around the Sun. The spacecraft was equipped with instruments to measure cosmic radiation and also the magnetic fields of the Earth and the Moon. It released a cloud of sodium gas, which glowed due to the Sun's radiation like an artificial comet, and made it visible from Earth. Contact lasted 62 hours after the launch until the batteries were drained. Luna 2 was launched 12 Sep 1959.« |
