Editing Lunokhod 2 (section)

== Landing and surface operations ==
[[File:Luna 21 lander.png|thumb|Luna 21 lander that delivered the second soviet robotic lunar rover Lunokhod - 2 to the Moon as seen from orbit by Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter in March, 2010]]
On January 15, 1973, after 40 orbits, the descent of the craft was commenced as the [[braking rocket]] was fired at {{convert|16|km|mi|abbr=on}} altitude, and the craft began to de-orbit. At an altitude of {{convert|750|m|ft|abbr=on}} the main thrusters began firing, slowing the fall until a height of {{convert|22|m|ft|abbr=on}} was reached. At this point the main thrusters shut down and the secondary thrusters ignited, slowing the fall until the lander was {{convert|1.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} above the surface, where the engine was switched off. Landing occurred at 23:35 UT in [[Le Monnier (crater)|Le Monnier crater]] at 25.85 degrees N, 30.45 degrees E.

After landing, the ''Lunokhod 2'' took TV images of the surrounding area, then rolled down a ramp to the surface at 01:14 UT on January 16 and took pictures of the ''[[Luna 21]]'' lander and landing site, driving for 30 metres. After a period of charging up its batteries, it took more pictures of the site and the lander, and then set off to explore the Moon.

The rover would run during the [[lunar day]], stopping occasionally to recharge its batteries with the solar panels. At night the rover hibernated until the next sunrise, heated by the radioactive source.

* January 18, 1973 to January 24, 1973: The rover drives 1,260 metres
* February 8 to 23: The rover drives 9,086 metres further
* March 11 to 23: The rover drives 16,533 metres further
* April 9 to 22: The rover drives 8,600 metres further
* May 8 to June 3: The rover drives 880 metres further
[[File:Lunokhod 2 Luna 21 lunar map.png|thumb|Map of Linokhod 2's path in [[Le Monnier (crater)|Le Monnier crater]] at the eastern rim of [[Mare Serenitatis]]]]