On this day in space! Sept. 15, 1968: Russian tortoises (& other critters) launch around the moon on Zond 5 spacecraft in wild first circumlunar flight
On Sept. 15, 1968, the Soviet Union launched the Zond 5 spacecraft carrying tortoises and more on a mission to loop around the moon and return to Earth. Here's why it mattered.
On September 15, 1968, the Soviet Union sent the Zond 5 spacecraft on a daring mission to loop around the moon and return to Earth. Unlike previous missions, this spacecraft carried a variety of living organisms, including the first two tortoises ever to travel in space. The other passengers consisted of wine flies, mealworms, plants, and seeds, making this the first space journey for these creatures as well.
The Soviet spacecraft, launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome, took three days to reach the moon. After completing its circumlunar flight, the Zond 5 capsule returned to Earth, but an error in its guidance system caused it to splash down in the Indian Ocean instead of landing in Kazakhstan. Despite this, the Soviet recovery ship managed to retrieve the capsule, which was then flown to Moscow.
Upon opening the capsule, scientists discovered that the tortoises and other organisms had survived the voyage, albeit with some weight loss. This mission, although unsuccessful in its intended splashdown location, marked a significant milestone in space exploration as it was the first circumlunar flight to launch from Earth, loop around the moon, and return, showcasing the Soviet Union's capabilities in space travel.
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