How many missions were going to the Moon in mid-July, 1969? Apollo 11, of course. But there was another mission, a Russian one, which the Soviet Union hoped would capture the banner of lunar glory; especially if the Apollo mission failed. The story of Luna 15 is not a secret — but it is not well known, either. And in that story there was a role to play for Britain’s own astronomical crown jewel: the great radio telescope, now known as the Lovell Telescope, at Jodrell Bank.
How US was nearly pipped to first moon rock samples
Sir Bernard Lovell tells Erica Wagner how he listened from Jodrell Bank to the drama, with the original audio from 1969
Published on 3 July 2009 in The Times
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