Lunokhod 2

Lunokhod 2 was the second Soviet robotic lunar rover, carried to the Moon by the Luna 21 lander, which was launched from Baikonur on 8 January 1973 on a Proton rocket with a Block D upper stage. Luna 21 braked into lunar orbit on 12 January and landed on 15 January in LeMonnier crater at about 25.85 degrees north, 30.45 degrees east. Lunokhod 2 then rolled down a ramp to the surface on 16 January and, after charging its batteries, set out across the terrain, running during the lunar day on solar power and hibernating at night. It operated for about four months, covered about 37 kilometers of hilly upland and rilles, and sent back 86 panoramic images and more than 80,000 television pictures along with surface mechanics tests and laser ranging measurements. On 4 June the program was announced as completed, and the rover is thought to have failed in mid-May or to have not revived after the lunar night.