Virgo II Lunar Lander | ||||
A replica of the original Virgo II lander found at the Museum of Technology in Washington D.C. | ||||
Valiant 11 was the name of the moon landing mission that resulted in the Virgo II lunar lander landing on the Moon's surface.
Background[]
Valiant 11 was the first lunar mission in history. On July 16, 1969, the Virgo II landed on the surface of the Moon. Three USSA astronauts - Captain Richard Wade, Captain Mark Garris, and Captain Michael Hagen - became the first humans to ever walk on the surface of an extraterrestrial body.[1]
A replica of the lander was exhibited at the Museum of Technology in 2077, commemorating the history of spaceflight in the United States of America.[2] The replica lander was functional and its communications relay dish was targeted by Three Dog to restore his radio's broadcast range.[3]
Behind the scenes[]
- The Valiant 11 mission is the post-Divergence equivalent of the Apollo 11 mission. The date for the landing, however, is actually the date Apollo 11 launched, four days before the moon landing itself.
- The design of the lander is based on the Soviet lunar lander, LK (Lunniy korabl, moon craft). The LK was created as part of the Space Race, before being quietly retired after the United States put the Apollo on the moon.
References
- ↑ Museum of Technology placard: "Virgo II Lunar Lander
On July 16, 1969, the Virgo II Lunar Lander "Valiant 11" became the very first manned space vehicle to touch down on the moon. The Valiant 11's crew consisted of Captain Richard Wade, Captain Mark Garris and Captain Michael Hagen of the USSA. We salute these brave and noble men who took the very first steps on a planetary body other than our own." - ↑ Museum Information, Spaceflight Exhibits
- ↑ Galaxy News Radio
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