Historical eventNovember 171970

Luna programme

Luna programme: The Soviet Union lands Lunokhod 1 on Mare Imbrium (Sea of Rains) on the Moon. This is the first roving remote-controlled robot to land on another world and is released by the orbiting Luna 17 spacecraft.

In context

When
Tuesday, November 17 197056 years ago
Category
Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Era
20th century · 1970s
Recorded from
Wikipedia “On this day” feed

At a glance

Dates: From 1970.

What happened

Luna programme: The Soviet Union lands Lunokhod 1 on Mare Imbrium (Sea of Rains) on the Moon. This is the first roving remote-controlled robot to land on another world and is released by the orbiting Luna 17 spacecraft.

November 17 through the years

Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.

  1. 1970Luna programme
  2. 1997Luxor
  3. 1997Luxor massacre
  4. 2000Alberto Fujimori
  5. 2000Landslide
  6. 2003Arnold Schwarzenegger
  7. 2009University of East Anglia
  8. 2012Manfalut train–bus collision
  9. 2013Tatarstan Airlines Flight 363
  10. 2013Tornado outbreak of November 17, 2013
  11. 2019COVID-19

Also in 1970

  • May 11Lubbock, TexasLubbock, Texas, was struck by a tornado that left 26 people dead.
  • September 9Popular Front for the Liberation of PalestineA British airliner is hijacked by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and flown to Dawson's Field in Jordan.
  • September 17AmmanThe Jordanian army entered Amman as part of operations to oust Palestinian fedayeen from the country in events later known as Black Septe…
  • September 51970 Italian Grand PrixDuring the practice session of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza Circuit, Jochen Rindt was killed and subsequently became motor racing's on…
  • September 5Vietnam WarVietnam War: Operation Jefferson Glenn begins: The United States 101st Airborne Division and the South Vietnamese 1st Infantry Division i…
  • November 5Military Assistance Command, VietnamThe Military Assistance Command, Vietnam reports the lowest weekly American soldier death toll in five years (24).
  • May 4Vietnam WarVietnam War: Kent State shootings: The Ohio National Guard, sent to Kent State University after disturbances in the city of Kent the week…
  • July 31Rum rationBlack Tot Day: The last day of the officially sanctioned rum ration in the Royal Navy.

Everything we record for 1970 →

Sources

Cite this page

“Luna programme”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/luna-programme-1970-november-17, accessed October 24, 2026.

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Questions about this entry

When did Luna programme happen?

November 17 1970 — 56 years ago, on a Tuesday.

Where does this text come from?

Wikipedia “On this day” feed. Summaries are short adaptations that link back to the source, not reprints.

How do I cite this page?

Use the ready-made citation near the sources at the bottom of the page, and follow the source link to cite the underlying record as well.

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