get through the Moon has not been an easy task , and there were many thing to consider before Armstrong and Aldrin were sent to set ashore on our natural satellite . One particular precondition to test was how soft the Moon was .
Fifty years ago , the Surveyor 1 investigation was direct to the Moon to perform the second ever control landing on a ethereal body . It was a discovery technology combining sophisticated remote guidance , robotics , and imaging . It successfully landed on June 2 , 1966 .
Surveyor 1 was tasked with strive the Moon ’s aerofoil via a delicate landing and investigating the properties of the lunar landscape painting . It sent about 11,240 moving picture back to Earth , as well as information about the strength of the lunar soil and the temperature on the Moon .
With the data from the mission , NASA scientists were able to assess the risk and challenge of landing astronauts there . Would the lunar soil be stiff enough to support the 15,200 - kilogram ( 33,500 - Syrian pound ) Apollo Lunar Module ?
A soft landing had been attempted a handful of metre by the Russian space agency but was only successful once inFebruary 1966 .
“ We cipher the chance of success at around 10 to 15 percent , ” Justin Rennilson , the co - principal researcher on the Surveyor television experimentation , said in astatement .
He tot : “ I remember sitting there watching the scope as the spacecraft was number down , all the way to the lunar aerofoil . ‘ God , the signaling is still there and it is still cultivate ! ’ I thought . We were successful and it was just astounding . ”
The probe had some advanced imaging technology for the meter . This was used to create the first panoramic photos of the Moon . picture of the three footpads proved that the filth was substantial enough , but to put any doubtfulness to breathe , Surveyor missions three to seven were equip with a little goop to try the surface .
Rennilson concludes : “ The Chinese have an interesting expression : ‘ When you take a drink of water system , you should think of the author . ’ I think that applies to the former unmanned space program . JPL has engineered so much of the modern stuff and nonsense we do in quad today . My remembrance are in the main about all the great thing that we ensure . So when Apollo landed , and when Curiosity put down on Mars , it was a heavy feel . ”
