1959 in spaceflight

Luna 1 was the first spacecraft to leave the gravitational influence of Earth. Also in 1959, Luna 2 was the first spacecraft to reach the surface of another celestial body, impacting the Moon, and Luna 3 returned the first images of the far side of the Moon.

January-December

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January

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February

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March

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April

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May

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June

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July

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August

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September

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October

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November

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December

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