Exploring the Moon
on stamps
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1959 Russia 40 k
Luna 1 trajectory from Earth past the Moon. The trajectory of the rocket, the orbit of the Moon, and the positions of the Moon at time of launch and fly-past are indicated.
SG 2332
1959 Russia 40 k
Ground tracks of Luna 1 over a period of three days following its launch. The launch site (Baikonur) is not accurately indicated as its location was still secret.
SG 2333
1959 Russia 40 k
Trajectory of Luna 3 from Earth around the Moon and back again. The date of launch, 4 October 1959, is inscribed at the top. Strangely, this stamp was issued before the two stamps featuring its predecessor Luna 2 which are next on our list.
SG 2385
1959 Russia 40 k
Symbolic representation of the trajectory of Luna 2 from the Earth to its impact on the Moon.
SG 2393
1959 Russia 40 k
Realistic representation of the trajectory of Luna 2 from the Earth to the Moon.
SG 2394
1959 East Germany 20 pf
Luna 2 impacts the Moon in the Palus Putredinis region of eastern Mare Imbrium. Here, the Moon is oriented with south at the top, as seen through an astronomical telescope.
SG E454
1959 Hungary 60 f
Luna 1 heading for the Moon (although in the event it missed).
SG 1556
1959 Hungary 60 f
The Luna 1 stamp (above) needed to be modified only slightly to commemorate the success of Luna 2. It was overprinted with the time of lunar impact.
SG 1605