Editing Luna 19

{{Short description|Soviet lunar orbiter}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{italic title}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name                  = ''Luna 19''
| image                 =
| image_caption         = ''Luna 19''

| mission_type          = Lunar orbiter
| operator              = Soviet space program
| COSPAR_ID             = 1971-082A 
| SATCAT                = 5488
| mission_duration      = Between 371 and 388 days (launch to last contact)

| spacecraft_type       = [[E-8-LS]]
| manufacturer          = [[NPO Lavochkin|GSMZ Lavochkin]]
| dry_mass              = {{convert|5600|kg|lb}}
| launch_mass           = {{convert|5600|kg|lb}}<ref name=nssdc>{{cite web|url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1971-082A |title=Luna 19|publisher=[[NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive]] |access-date=January 9, 2023}}</ref>
| power                 = 
| instruments           = Imaging system<br/>Gamma-ray spectrometer<br/>Radio altimeter<br/>Meteoroid detectors<br/>[[Magnetometer]]<br/>Cosmic-ray detectors<br/>Radiation detectors

| launch_date           = {{start-date|28 September 1971, 10:00:22|timezone=yes}}&nbsp;UTC<ref name=nssdc/> 
| launch_rocket         = [[Proton-K]]/[[Blok D|D]]  
| launch_site           = [[Baikonur Cosmodrome|Baikonur]] [[Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 81|81/24]]
| launch_contractor     = 
| last_contact          = 1 November 1972<ref name=beyondearth>{{Cite book|last=Siddiqi|first=Asif|url=https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/beyond-earth-tagged.pdf|title=Beyond Earth: A Chronicle of Deep Space Exploration|year=2018 |publisher=National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Office of Communications, NASA History Division |isbn=9781626830431|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331145241/https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/beyond-earth-tagged.pdf|archive-date=31 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
| deactivated           = {{circa}} {{end-date|20 October 1972}}
| decay_date            = 

| orbit_epoch           = 
| orbit_reference       = [[selenocentric orbit|Selenocentric]]
| orbit_periapsis       = {{convert|140|km|mi}}{{cn|date=August 2013}} 
| orbit_apoapsis        = {{convert|140|km|mi}}{{cn|date=August 2013}} 
| orbit_inclination     = 40.58&nbsp;degrees
| orbit_period          = 121.13&nbsp;minutes 
| orbit_eccentricity    = 0.18{{cn|date=August 2013}}
| apsis                 = selene

|interplanetary         = 
 {{Infobox spaceflight/IP
   |type                = orbiter
   |object              = [[Moon|Lunar]]
   |orbits              = ~4,315
   |arrival_date        = 3 October 1971
   |location            = <!--impact site-->
 }}

| programme          = '''[[Luna programme]]'''
| previous_mission   = [[Luna 18]]
| next_mission       = [[Luna 20]]
}}
'''''Luna 19''''' (a.k.a. '''''Lunik 19''''') (E-8-LS series), was an [[uncrewed space mission]] of the [[Luna program]]. ''Luna 19'' extended the systematic study of lunar gravitational fields and location of [[mass concentration (astronomy)|mascons]] (mass concentrations). It also studied the lunar radiation environment, the gamma-active lunar surface, and the solar wind. Photographic coverage via a television system was also obtained.

==Overview==
''Luna 19'' was the first of the “advanced” lunar orbiters whose design was based upon
the same Ye-8-class bus used for the lunar rovers and the sample collectors. For these orbiters, designated Ye-8LS, the basic “lander stage” was topped off by a wheelless Lunokhod-like frame that housed all scientific instrumentation in a pressurized container.

''Luna 19'' was launched into an Earth parking orbit on 28 September, of the year 1971 and, from this orbit, was sent toward the [[Moon]]. ''Luna 19'' entered an orbit around the Moon on 2 October 1971 after two midcourse corrections on 29 September and 1 October. Initial orbital parameters were 140 x 140 kilometers at 40.58° inclination.

Soon afterward, the spacecraft began its main imaging mission — providing panoramic images of the mountainous region of the Moon between 30° and 60° south latitude and between 20° and 80° east longitude. Other scientific experiments included extensive studies on the shape and strength of the lunar gravitational field and the locations of the mascons. Occultation experiments in May and June 1972 allowed scientists to determine the concentration of charged particles at an altitude of 10 kilometers. Additional studies of the solar wind were evidently coordinated with those performed by the Mars 2 and 3 orbiters and Veneras 7 and 8. Communications with Luna 19 was lost on 1 November 1972,<ref name=beyondearth/> after a year of operation and more than 4,000 orbits around the Moon.

==See also==
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
* [[Timeline of artificial satellites and space probes]]

==External links==
*[https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/luna-19/in-depth/ "Luna 19", ''Solar System Exploration'', NASA.gov] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122111406/https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/luna-19/in-depth/ |date=22 January 2021 }}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Luna programme}}
{{Moon spacecraft}}
{{Orbital launches in 1971}}

[[Category:Luna programme]]
[[Category:1971 in spaceflight]]
[[Category:1971 in the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Satellites orbiting the Moon]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched in 1971]]
[[Category:Non Earth orbiting satellites of the Soviet Union]]