Trajectory families
The pages separate direct impact, flyby, lunar orbit insertion, powered descent, rover deployment, ascent rendezvous, sample return, and NRHO pathfinding.
Moon mission atlas
Past, current, and future lunar missions.
A separate mission library for lunar flybys, impactors, orbiters, soft landers, rovers, sample returns, crewed expeditions, commercial payload delivery, and future south-polar infrastructure.
Animated launch, translunar trajectory, lunar operations, and return or descent path.
Current lunar operations
Active orbiters, pathfinders, and program pipelines that are still operational or campaign-active.
5 entries in this group. Open a mission for trajectory, launch, expedition, and outcome notes.
Current lunar mission
LRO and LCROSS
LRO and LCROSS is a current Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Current lunar mission
Chandrayaan-2
Chandrayaan-2 is a current Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Current lunar mission
CAPSTONE
CAPSTONE is a current Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Current lunar mission
Danuri / KPLO
Danuri / KPLO is a current Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Current lunar mission
Commercial Lunar Payload Services Cadence
Commercial Lunar Payload Services Cadence is a current Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar missions
Historic missions that built the technical path from first flyby to sample return and crewed surface exploration.
43 entries in this group. Open a mission for trajectory, launch, expedition, and outcome notes.
Past lunar mission
Luna 1
Luna 1 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Luna 2
Luna 2 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Luna 3
Luna 3 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Ranger 7 to 9
Ranger 7 to 9 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Surveyor Program
Surveyor Program is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Lunar Orbiter Program
Lunar Orbiter Program is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Luna 9
Luna 9 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Luna 10
Luna 10 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Zond 5
Zond 5 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Apollo 8
Apollo 8 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Apollo 10
Apollo 10 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Apollo 11
Apollo 11 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Apollo 12
Apollo 12 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Apollo 13
Apollo 13 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Apollo 14
Apollo 14 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Apollo 15
Apollo 15 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Apollo 16
Apollo 16 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Apollo 17
Apollo 17 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Lunokhod 1 / Luna 17
Lunokhod 1 / Luna 17 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Luna Sample Return Series
Luna Sample Return Series is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Lunokhod 2 / Luna 21
Lunokhod 2 / Luna 21 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Hiten
Hiten is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Clementine
Clementine is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Lunar Prospector
Lunar Prospector is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
SMART-1
SMART-1 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
SELENE / Kaguya
SELENE / Kaguya is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Chang'e 1 and 2
Chang'e 1 and 2 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Chandrayaan-1
Chandrayaan-1 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
GRAIL
GRAIL is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
LADEE
LADEE is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Chang'e 3
Chang'e 3 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Chang'e 4
Chang'e 4 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Beresheet
Beresheet is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Chang'e 5
Chang'e 5 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Artemis I
Artemis I is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Luna 25
Luna 25 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Chandrayaan-3
Chandrayaan-3 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
SLIM
SLIM is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Odysseus IM-1
Odysseus IM-1 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Chang'e 6
Chang'e 6 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Blue Ghost Mission 1
Blue Ghost Mission 1 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
IM-2 / PRIME-1
IM-2 / PRIME-1 is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Past lunar mission
Artemis II
Artemis II is a past Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Future lunar missions
Planned crewed, robotic, cargo, polar, and sample-return missions that shape the next lunar decade.
9 entries in this group. Open a mission for trajectory, launch, expedition, and outcome notes.
Future lunar mission
Artemis III
Artemis III is a future Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Future lunar mission
Artemis IV and Gateway
Artemis IV and Gateway is a future Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Future lunar mission
Chang'e 7
Chang'e 7 is a future Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Future lunar mission
Chang'e 8
Chang'e 8 is a future Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Future lunar mission
Chandrayaan-4
Chandrayaan-4 is a future Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Future lunar mission
LUPEX
LUPEX is a future Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Future lunar mission
Luna 26
Luna 26 is a future Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Future lunar mission
Luna 27
Luna 27 is a future Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Future lunar mission
ESA Argonaut
ESA Argonaut is a future Moon mission entry covering launch, transfer, lunar operations, and engineering context.
Project-local technical rendering.
Registry table
Moon mission coverage matrix
The table is designed for fast scanning before opening the deeper mission pages.
| Mission | Status | Agency | Launch | Destination | Mission class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luna 1 | Past | Soviet Union | 1959 | Moon flyby / heliocentric orbit | Flyby precursor |
| Luna 2 | Past | Soviet Union | 1959 | Mare Imbrium region | Impactor |
| Luna 3 | Past | Soviet Union | 1959 | Lunar far side flyby | Flyby imaging |
| Ranger 7 to 9 | Past | United States | 1964-1965 | Mare Cognitum, Mare Tranquillitatis, Alphonsus | Impact imaging |
| Surveyor Program | Past | United States | 1966-1968 | Multiple near-side landing sites | Soft lander series |
| Lunar Orbiter Program | Past | United States | 1966-1967 | Lunar orbit | Orbiter mapping series |
| Luna 9 | Past | Soviet Union | 1966 | Oceanus Procellarum | Soft lander |
| Luna 10 | Past | Soviet Union | 1966 | Lunar orbit | Orbiter |
| Zond 5 | Past | Soviet Union | 1968 | Circumlunar return | Biological circumlunar mission |
| Apollo 8 | Past | United States | 1968 | Lunar orbit | Crewed orbiter |
| Apollo 10 | Past | United States | 1969 | Low lunar orbit | Crewed dress rehearsal |
| Apollo 11 | Past | United States | 1969 | Mare Tranquillitatis | Crewed landing |
| Apollo 12 | Past | United States | 1969 | Oceanus Procellarum | Crewed precision landing |
| Apollo 13 | Past | United States | 1970 | Circumlunar return | Crewed abort and recovery |
| Apollo 14 | Past | United States | 1971 | Fra Mauro | Crewed landing |
| Apollo 15 | Past | United States | 1971 | Hadley-Apennine | Crewed J-mission |
| Apollo 16 | Past | United States | 1972 | Descartes Highlands | Crewed highland landing |
| Apollo 17 | Past | United States | 1972 | Taurus-Littrow | Crewed landing |
| Lunokhod 1 / Luna 17 | Past | Soviet Union | 1970 | Mare Imbrium | Robotic rover |
| Luna Sample Return Series | Past | Soviet Union | 1970-1976 | Mare Fecunditatis, Mare Crisium, Mare Imbrium | Robotic sample return |
| Lunokhod 2 / Luna 21 | Past | Soviet Union | 1973 | Le Monnier crater | Robotic rover |
| Hiten | Past | Japan | 1990 | Lunar orbit and flybys | Orbiter / flyby demonstrator |
| Clementine | Past | United States | 1994 | Lunar polar and global mapping orbit | Technology and mapping orbiter |
| Lunar Prospector | Past | United States | 1998 | Low lunar polar orbit | Resource and geophysics orbiter |
| SMART-1 | Past | ESA | 2003 | Lunar orbit | Electric-propulsion orbiter |
| SELENE / Kaguya | Past | Japan | 2007 | Lunar polar orbit | Lunar science orbiter |
| Chang'e 1 and 2 | Past | China | 2007-2010 | Lunar orbit | Lunar mapping orbiters |
| Chandrayaan-1 | Past | India | 2008 | Lunar polar orbit | Orbiter and impact probe |
| LRO and LCROSS | Current | United States | 2009 | Lunar polar orbit and Cabeus impact | Orbiter plus impact experiment |
| GRAIL | Past | United States | 2011 | Lunar orbit | Twin gravity orbiters |
| LADEE | Past | United States | 2013 | Lunar equatorial orbit | Atmosphere and dust orbiter |
| Chang'e 3 | Past | China | 2013 | Mare Imbrium | Lander and rover |
| Chang'e 4 | Past | China | 2018 | Von Karman crater, far side | Far-side lander and rover |
| Beresheet | Past | Israel / SpaceIL | 2019 | Mare Serenitatis target | Commercial lander |
| Chandrayaan-2 | Current | India | 2019 | Lunar polar orbit and south-polar landing target | Orbiter, lander, rover mission |
| Chang'e 5 | Past | China | 2020 | Oceanus Procellarum | Robotic sample return |
| CAPSTONE | Current | United States | 2022 | Near-rectilinear halo orbit | Navigation pathfinder |
| Danuri / KPLO | Current | South Korea | 2022 | Lunar polar orbit | Lunar orbiter |
| Artemis I | Past | United States | 2022 | Distant retrograde lunar orbit | Uncrewed Orion / SLS test |
| Luna 25 | Past | Russia | 2023 | South polar landing target | Robotic lander |
| Chandrayaan-3 | Past | India | 2023 | Near lunar south pole | Lander and rover |
| SLIM | Past | Japan | 2023 | Shioli crater region | Precision lander |
| Odysseus IM-1 | Past | United States / Intuitive Machines | 2024 | Malapert A region | Commercial lander |
| Chang'e 6 | Past | China | 2024 | South Pole-Aitken basin far side | Far-side sample return |
| Blue Ghost Mission 1 | Past | United States / Firefly | 2025 | Mare Crisium region | Commercial lander |
| IM-2 / PRIME-1 | Past | United States / Intuitive Machines | 2025 | South polar region target | Commercial lander and resource payload |
| Artemis II | Past | United States / international partners | 2026 | Crewed lunar flyby | Crewed Orion test |
| Artemis III | Future | United States / international partners | Planned | Lunar south-polar region | Crewed landing campaign |
| Artemis IV and Gateway | Future | United States / international partners | Planned | Lunar orbit / Gateway | Crewed infrastructure mission |
| Chang'e 7 | Future | China | Planned | Lunar south pole | Orbiter, lander, rover, and hopper concept |
| Chang'e 8 | Future | China | Planned | Lunar south pole | ISRU and technology demonstrator |
| Chandrayaan-4 | Future | India | Planned | Lunar sample return target | Robotic sample return |
| LUPEX | Future | India / Japan | Planned | Lunar south-polar region | Polar rover and lander mission |
| Luna 26 | Future | Russia | Planned | Lunar polar orbit | Orbiter |
| Luna 27 | Future | Russia | Planned | Lunar south-polar region | Robotic lander |
| ESA Argonaut | Future | ESA | Planned | Lunar surface logistics | Cargo lander |
| Commercial Lunar Payload Services Cadence | Current | United States commercial providers | Ongoing | Multiple lunar regions | Commercial payload delivery program |
How To Read The Lunar Archive
Mission mechanics and review cautions
Expedition detail
Crewed entries include EVA and return operations; robotic entries focus on payload work, orbit design, descent sensing, mobility, and data return.
Future status
Planned mission timing can move. The website records mission architecture and intended exploration role, not a launch guarantee.
Simulation purpose
The animation is a study trajectory, not a flight-certified propagator. It helps visualize phases and relative Earth-Moon geometry.
Mathematical model
Mission trajectory and spacecraft model
Mission visuals combine catalog dates, distance vectors, speed estimates, and schematic spacecraft geometry. They are not CAD-certified vehicle meshes unless a source model is explicitly loaded.
Vector propagation
\[\mathbf{r}(t)=\mathbf{r}_0+\mathbf{v}(t-t_0)\]
For live-distance spacecraft pages, current position is propagated from epoch vector and velocity when high-precision ephemerides are not bundled.
Transfer curve
\[\mathbf{r}_{\mathrm{curve}}(u)=\operatorname{Bezier}\!\left(\mathbf{r}_{\mathrm{launch}},\mathbf{r}_{\mathrm{mid}},\mathbf{r}_{\mathrm{target}}\right)\]
Mission path arcs are schematic transfer curves anchored at meaningful endpoints, not claims of exact reconstructed trajectories.
Dimensional hierarchy
\[T_{\mathrm{world}}=T_{\mathrm{parent}}RS\]
Spacecraft parts are placed with transformation matrices. This proves the generated geometry is internally consistent even when simplified.
Verification standard: the rendered object must be reproducible from stated equations, catalog parameters, or explicit geometric transforms. Visual reference images may inform presentation only; they are not the source of orbital positions, field vectors, accretion-disk gradients, timing, or engineering layout.
Limitations: browser scenes may use bounded scale, compressed distances, simplified two-body dynamics, schematic transfer curves, or educational approximations where full numerical ephemerides, CFD, finite-element models, or general-relativistic ray tracing are outside the page scope. Those simplifications are part of the model contract, not hidden image-based construction.