List Of Artificial Objects On The Moon

The table below does not include lesser Apollo mission artificial objects, such as a hammer and other tools, retroreflectors, Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Packages, or the commemorative, artistic, and personal objects left by the twelve Apollo astronauts, such as the United States flags, the commemorative plaques attached to the ladders of the six Apollo Lunar Modules, the silver astronaut pin left by Alan Bean in honor of Clifton C. Williams whom he replaced, the Bible left by David Scott, the Fallen Astronaut statuette and memorial plaque placed by the crew of Apollo 15, the Apollo 11 goodwill messages disc, or the golf balls Alan Shepard hit during an Apollo 14 moonwalk.

Five S-IVB third stages of Saturn V rockets from the Apollo program crashed into the Moon, and are the heaviest human-made objects on the lunar surface. Humans have left over 187,400 kilograms (413,100 lb) of material on the Moon. Besides the 2019 Chang'e 4 and SLIM missions, the only artificial objects on the Moon that are still in use are the retroreflectors for the Lunar Laser Ranging experiments left there by the Apollo 11, 14, and 15 astronauts, Chandrayaan-3 lunar lander, and by the Soviet Union's Lunokhod 1 and Lunokhod 2 missions.

Objects at greater than 90 degrees east or west are on the far side of the Moon, including Ranger 4, Lunar Orbiter 1, Lunar Orbiter 2, Lunar Orbiter 3, Chang'e 4 lander and Yutu-2 rover.

Because of increasing numbers of missions to and objects at the Moon, a global registry of lunar activities has been proposed in 2023 by the Open Lunar Foundation.

Legend

Table of objects

Artificial object	Image	Country	Year	Mass (lb)	Mass (kg)	Status	Location	Notes
Luna 2		Soviet Union	1959	860	390	Impactor	29°06′N 0°00′E / 29.1°N 0°E / 29.1; 0
Luna 2 Third stage of Vostok rocket		Soviet Union	1959	20,100	9,100	Crashed (post-mission)	29°06′N 0°00′E / 29.1°N 0°E / 29.1; 0
Ranger 4		United States	1962	730	331	Crashed (controlled impact failed)	15°30′S 130°42′W / 15.5°S 130.7°W / -15.5; -130.7
Ranger 6		United States	1964	840	381	Impactor	9°21′29″N 21°28′48″E / 9.358°N 21.480°E / 9.358; 21.480
Ranger 7		United States	1964	805	365	Impactor	10°38′S 20°36′W / 10.63°S 20.60°W / -10.63; -20.60
Luna 5		Soviet Union	1965	3,250	1,474	Crashed	8°N 23°W / 8°N 23°W / 8; -23
Luna 7		Soviet Union	1965	3,316	1,504	Crashed	9°48′N 47°48′W / 9.8°N 47.8°W / 9.8; -47.8
Luna 8		Soviet Union	1965	3,422 (launch mass)	1552 (launch mass)	Crashed	9°06′N 63°18′W / 9.1°N 63.3°W / 9.1; -63.3
Ranger 8		United States	1965	809	367	Impactor	2°38′17″N 24°47′13″E / 2.638°N 24.787°E / 2.638; 24.787
Ranger 9		United States	1965	809	367	Impactor	12°49′41″S 2°23′13″W / 12.828°S 2.387°W / -12.828; -2.387
Luna 9 spacecraft/descent stage		Soviet Union	1966	3,391 (before lander capsule ejection)	1538 (before lander capsule ejection)	Crashed (post-mission)	7°05′N 64°22′W / 7.08°N 64.37°W / 7.08; -64.37
Luna 9 Automated Lunar Station (ALS) airbag and lander capsule		Soviet Union	1966	218	99	Landed	7°05′N 64°22′W / 7.08°N 64.37°W / 7.08; -64.37
Luna 10		Soviet Union	1966	3,500	1,600	Crashed (post-mission)	Unknown
Luna 11		Soviet Union	1966	3,620	1,640	Crashed (post-mission)	Unknown
Luna 12		Soviet Union	1966	3,680	1,670	Crashed (post-mission)	Unknown
Surveyor 1 (separate from descent stage)		United States	1966	600	270	Landed	2°28′26″S 43°20′20″W / 2.474°S 43.339°W / -2.474; -43.339
Luna 13 (separate from descent stage)		Soviet Union	1966	249	113	Landed	18°52′N 62°03′W / 18.87°N 62.05°W / 18.87; -62.05
Lunar Orbiter 1		United States	1966	851	386	Crashed (post-mission)	6°42′N 162°00′E / 6.70°N 162°E / 6.70; 162
Surveyor 2		United States	1966	644	292	Crashed	5°30′N 12°00′W / 5.5°N 12°W / 5.5; -12
Lunar Orbiter 2		United States	1966	849	385	Crashed (post-mission)	3°00′N 119°00′E / 3.0°N 119°E / 3.0; 119
Lunar Orbiter 3		United States	1966	851	386	Crashed (post-mission)	14°18′N 97°42′W / 14.3°N 97.7°W / 14.3; -97.7
Surveyor 3 (separate from descent stage)		United States	1967	619	281	Landed	3°00′54″S 23°25′05″W / 3.015°S 23.418°W / -3.015; -23.418
Lunar Orbiter 4		United States	1967	851	386	Crashed (post-mission)	Unknown
Surveyor 4		United States	1967	624	283	Crashed	0°24′N 1°20′W / 0.4°N 1.33°W / 0.4; -1.33
Explorer 35		United States	1967	229	104	Crashed (post mission)	Unknown
Lunar Orbiter 5		United States	1967	851	386	Crashed (post-mission)	3°S 83°W / 3°S 83°W / -3; -83
Surveyor 5 (separate from descent stage)		United States	1967	619	281	Landed	1°27′40″N 23°11′42″E / 1.461°N 23.195°E / 1.461; 23.195
Surveyor 6 (separate from descent stage)		United States	1967	622	282	Landed	0°29′N 1°24′W / 0.49°N 1.40°W / 0.49; -1.40
Surveyor 7 (separate from descent stage)		United States	1968	640	290	Landed	40°52′S 11°28′W / 40.86°S 11.47°W / -40.86; -11.47
Luna 14		Soviet Union	1968	3,680	1,670	Crashed (post-mission)	Unknown
Apollo 10 LM-4 Snoopy descent stage		United States	1969	4,874	2,211	Likely crashed (post-mission)	Unknown
Apollo 11 LM-5 Eagle descent stage		United States	1969	4,484	2,034	Landed	0°40′27″N 23°28′23″E / 0.6741°N 23.4730°E / 0.6741; 23.4730
Luna 15		Soviet Union	1969	5,992	2,718	Crashed	Unknown
Apollo 11 LM-5 Eagle ascent stage		United States	1969	4,815	2,184	Crashed (post-mission) or in orbit	Unknown
Apollo 12 LM-6 Intrepid descent stage		United States	1969	4,874	2,211	Landed	3°00′45″S 23°25′18″W / 3.0124°S 23.4216°W / -3.0124; -23.4216
Apollo 12 LM-6 Intrepid ascent stage		United States	1969	4,771	2,164	Crashed (post-mission)	3°56′S 21°12′W / 3.94°S 21.20°W / -3.94; -21.20
Luna 16 descent stage		Soviet Union	1970	3,040	1,380	Landed	0°41′S 56°18′E / 0.68°S 56.3°E / -0.68; 56.3
Luna 17 and Lunokhod 1		Soviet Union	1970	12,300	5,600	Landed	38°17′N 35°00′W / 38.28°N 35.0°W / 38.28; -35.0
Apollo 13 S-IVB (S-IVB-508)		United States	1970	29,661	13,454	Crashed (post-mission)	2°45′S 27°52′W / 2.75°S 27.86°W / -2.75; -27.86
Luna 18		Soviet Union	1971	4,140	1,880	Crashed	3°34′N 56°30′E / 3.57°N 56.5°E / 3.57; 56.5
Luna 19		Soviet Union	1971	4,140	1,880	Crashed (post-mission)	Unknown
Apollo 14 S-IVB (S-IVB-509)		United States	1971	30,900	14,016	Crashed (post-mission)	8°05′S 26°01′W / 8.09°S 26.02°W / -8.09; -26.02
Apollo 14 LM-8 Antares descent stage		United States	1971	4,727	2,144	Landed	3°38′43″S 17°28′17″W / 3.6453°S 17.4714°W / -3.6453; -17.4714
Apollo 14 LM-8 Antares ascent stage		United States	1971	4,705	2,132	Crashed (post-mission)	3°25′S 19°40′W / 3.42°S 19.67°W / -3.42; -19.67
Apollo 15 S-IVB (S-IVB-510)		United States	1971	30,944	14,036	Crashed (post-mission)	1°31′S 11°49′W / 1.51°S 11.81°W / -1.51; -11.81
Apollo 15 LM-10 Falcon descent stage		United States	1971	6,193	2,809	Landed	26°07′56″N 3°38′02″E / 26.1322°N 3.6339°E / 26.1322; 3.6339
Apollo 15 Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV-1)		United States	1971	460	210	Landed	26°05′N 3°40′E / 26.08°N 3.66°E / 26.08; 3.66
Apollo 15 LM-10 Falcon ascent stage		United States	1971	4,700	2,132	Crashed (post-mission)	26°22′N 0°15′E / 26.36°N 0.25°E / 26.36; 0.25
Apollo 15 subsatellite		United States	1971	79	36	Crashed (post-mission)	Unknown
Luna 20 descent stage		Soviet Union	1972	<12,626	<5,727	Landed	3°34′N 56°30′E / 3.57°N 56.5°E / 3.57; 56.5
Apollo 16 S-IVB (S-IVB-511)		United States	1972	30,869	14,002	Crashed (post-mission)	1°55′16″N 24°37′23″W / 1.921°N 24.623°W / 1.921; -24.623
Apollo 16 LM-11 Orion descent stage		United States	1972	6,096	2,765	Landed	8°58′23″S 15°30′01″E / 8.9730°S 15.5002°E / -8.9730; 15.5002
Apollo 16 Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV-2)		United States	1972	460	210	Landed	8°58′S 15°31′E / 8.97°S 15.51°E / -8.97; 15.51
Apollo 16 LM-11 Orion ascent stage		United States	1972	4,713	2,138	Crashed (post-mission)	Unknown
Apollo 16 subsatellite		United States	1972	79	36	Crashed (post-mission)	Unknown
Apollo 17 S-IVB (S-IVB-512)		United States	1972	30,780	13,960	Crashed (post-mission)	4°13′S 12°19′W / 4.21°S 12.31°W / -4.21; -12.31
Apollo 17 LM-12 Challenger descent stage		United States	1972	6,169	2,798	Landed	20°11′27″N 30°46′18″E / 20.1908°N 30.7717°E / 20.1908; 30.7717
Apollo 17 Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV-3)		United States	1972	460	210	Landed	20°10′N 30°46′E / 20.17°N 30.77°E / 20.17; 30.77
Apollo 17 LM-12 Challenger ascent stage		United States	1972	4,740	2,150	Crashed (post-mission)	19°58′N 30°30′E / 19.96°N 30.50°E / 19.96; 30.50
Luna 21 and Lunokhod 2		Soviet Union	1973	10,690	4,850	Landed	25°51′N 30°27′E / 25.85°N 30.45°E / 25.85; 30.45
Explorer 49 (RAE-B)		United States	1973	723	328	Crashed (post-mission)	Unknown
Luna 22		Soviet Union	1974	8,800	4,000	Crashed (post-mission)	Unknown
Luna 23		Soviet Union	1974	12,300	5,600	Landed	12°45′N 62°12′E / 12.75°N 62.20°E / 12.75; 62.20
Luna 24 descent stage		Soviet Union	1976	<12,787	<5,800	Landed	12°45′N 62°12′E / 12.75°N 62.20°E / 12.75; 62.20
Hagoromo Hiten		Japan	1990	26	12	Crashed (not confirmed/post-mission)	Unknown
Hiten		Japan	1993	315	143	Crashed (post-mission)/Impactor	34°18′S 55°36′E / 34.3°S 55.6°E / -34.3; 55.6
Lunar Prospector		United States	1998	278	126	Crashed (post-mission)	87°42′S 42°21′E / 87.7°S 42.35°E / -87.7; 42.35
SMART-1		European Space Agency	2006	677	307	Crashed (post-mission)	34°15′43″S 46°11′35″W / 34.262°S 46.193°W / -34.262; -46.193
Moon Impact Probe (MIP) Chandrayaan-1		India	2008	77	35	Impactor	89°46′S 39°24′W / 89.76°S 39.40°W / -89.76; -39.40
SELENE Rstar (Okina)		Japan	2009	117	53	Crashed (post-mission)	28°12′47″N 159°01′59″W / 28.213°N 159.033°W / 28.213; -159.033
SELENE Vstar (Ouna)		Japan	Unknown	117	53	Crashed (post-mission)	Unknown
Chang'e 1		China	2009	4,400	2,000	Crashed (post-mission)	1°30′S 52°22′E / 1.50°S 52.36°E / -1.50; 52.36
SELENE (Kaguya) main orbiter		Japan	2009	4,374	1,984	Crashed (post-mission)	65°30′S 80°30′E / 65.5°S 80.5°E / -65.5; 80.5
LCROSS Shepherding Spacecraft		United States	2009	1,500	700	Crashed (post-mission)	84°43′44″S 49°21′36″W / 84.729°S 49.36°W / -84.729; -49.36
LCROSS Centaur		United States	2009	5,000	2,270	Crashed (post-mission)	84°40′30″S 48°43′30″W / 84.675°S 48.725°W / -84.675; -48.725
GRAIL		United States	2012	293	133	Crashed (post-mission)	75°37′N 26°38′W / 75.62°N 26.63°W / 75.62; -26.63
Chang'e 3 lander		China	2013	2,600	1,200	Landed/operational	44°07′N 19°31′W / 44.12°N 19.51°W / 44.12; -19.51
Chang'e 3 Yutu rover		China	2013	2,600	1,200	Landed	44°07′N 19°31′W / 44.12°N 19.51°W / 44.12; -19.51
LADEE		United States	2014	547	248	Crashed (post-mission)	10°48′N 91°36′W / 10.8°N 91.6°W / 10.8; -91.6
Chang'e 4 lander		China	2019	2,600	1,200	Landed/operational	45°27′22″S 177°35′19″E / 45.4561°S 177.5885°E / -45.4561; 177.5885
Chang'e 4 Yutu-2 rover		China	2019	2,600	1,200	Landed/operational	45°27′22″S 177°35′19″E / 45.4561°S 177.5885°E / -45.4561; 177.5885
Beresheet		Israel	2019	330	150	Crashed	32°35′44″N 19°20′59″E / 32.5956°N 19.3496°E / 32.5956; 19.3496
Longjiang-2		China	2019	104	47	Crashed (post-mission)	16°41′44″N 159°31′01″E / 16.6956°N 159.5170°E / 16.6956; 159.5170 (Longjiang-2 impact site)
Chandrayaan-2 Vikram lander Pragyan rover		India	2019	3,243	1,471	Crashed	70°52′52″S 22°47′02″E / 70.8810°S 22.7840°E / -70.8810; 22.7840
Chang'e 5 descent stage		China	2020	<18,077	<8,200	Landed	43°05′56″N 51°50′13″W / 43.099°N 51.837°W / 43.099; -51.837
Chang'e 5 ascent stage		China	2020	>400	>882	Crashed (post-mission)	30°00′00″S 0°00′00″E / 30.000°S 0.000°E / -30.000; 0.000
Chang'e 5-T1 third stage rocket		China	2022	6100	2,800	Crashed (post-mission)	5°13′34″N 125°30′50″W / 5.226°N 125.514°W / 5.226; -125.514
Manfred Memorial Moon Mission		Luxembourg	2022	31	14	Crashed (post-mission together with Chang'e 5-T1 third stage rocket)
Hakuto-R Mission 1		Japan	2023	750	340	Crashed	47°34′52″N 44°05′38″E / 47.581°N 44.094°E / 47.581; 44.094
Emirates Lunar Mission		United Arab Emirates
Luna 25		Russia	2023	3,860	1,750	Crashed	57°51′54″S 61°21′36″E / 57.865°S 61.360°E / -57.865; 61.360
Chandrayaan-3 Vikram lander Pragyan rover		India	2023	3,863	1,752	Landed	69°22′23″S 32°19′08″E / 69.373°S 32.319°E / -69.373; 32.319
SLIM		Japan	2024	259.4	118.7	Operational	13°18′58″S 25°15′04″E / 13.316°S 25.251°E / -13.316; 25.251
LEV-1		Japan	2024	2.1	4.6	Landed	13°18′58″S 25°15′04″E / 13.316°S 25.251°E / -13.316; 25.251
LEV-2		Japan	2024	0.25	0.55	Landed	13°18′58″S 25°15′04″E / 13.316°S 25.251°E / -13.316; 25.251
IM-1 Odysseus EagleCam		United States	2024	4,206	1,903	Landed	84°54′S 12°54′E / 84.9°S 12.9°E / -84.9; 12.9
Chang'e 6 descent stage		China	2024	<18,077	<8,200	Planned
Chang'e 6 ascent stage		China	2024	>400	>882	Planned
Total estimated dry mass				476,399	216,091

•  
  Map of the Moon showing some landing sites. (Click to enlarge)
•  
  Surveyor 3 on the Moon, photographed by Alan Bean during Apollo 12 (1969)
•  
  Locations of retro reflector experiments
•  
  Lunar Laser Ranging experiment (LRRR)
•  
  Map of all soft landings

Footnotes