The Soviets launch the Lunik 2 probe on a collision course with the Moon, where it crashes into Mare Imbrium. The probe also contains several spheres with Soviet flags and symbols. These are separated from the probe before impact and, using a rudimentary speed-reduction system (using explosive charges) to prevent them from vaporizing on impact, are forced to impact the lunar surface. Two of these elements have the inscriptions СССР on one side and СССР СЕНТЯБРЬ 1959 (USSR SEPTEMBER 1959) on the other, while the third element is a liquid-filled sphere with aluminum strips with the inscription 1959 СЕНТЯБРЬ (1959 SEPTEMBER) СОЮЗ СОВЕТСКИХ СОЦИАЛИСТИЧЕСКИХ РЕСПУБЛИК (English: UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS). A copy of this was donated by Kruschev to Eisenhower and is still preserved at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, Kansas.
