1961 Leaf : Famous Discoveries and Adventures

Famous Discoveries and Adventures cards were issued in 1961 by Leaf Confectionery, Inc. of Chicago. The American Card Catalog reference is R734-7. The 50-card collection showcases the history of exploration in western civilization. Each card measures approximately 2.5 x 3.5 inches (63.5 x 89 mm).

"First Moon Rocket" describes the first two Soviet lunar probe missions. Originally known as Мечта (Mechta, "Dream") and the "First Cosmic Ship," Luna 1 (Ye-1 No. 4) was launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome on January 2, 1959. On January 4, Luna 1 passed within approximately 3,726 miles (5,995 km) from the Moon. The spacecraft currently orbits the Sun between Earth and Mars.

Luna 2 (Ye-1 No.7) was launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome on September 12, 1959. Luna 2 is the first spacecraft to reach the surface of the Moon. The spacecraft impacted the lunar surface on September 13, 1959.

"The first step to the conquest of space by man is to establish a departure station on the moon by manned rockets carrying supplies launched from the Earth. The distance from the Earth to the Moon varies from 222 to 252 thousand miles, and the relative changes of position of the Earth and the Moon present one of the most difficult mathematical problems in determining the course of such rockets. In the summer of 1959 a rocket fired at the Moon by the Russians missed it and disappeared into outer space, but their second rocket fired in September, 1959, landed on the Moon."

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"Survey of the Moon" depicts an illustration of the Soviet spacecraft Luna 3 (Ye-2A No. 1). The spacecraft was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard Luna 8K72 (I1-8) on October 4, 1959. Luna 3 transmitted the first photograph of the far side of the moon. The onboard camera took 29 pictures of the lunar surface. The physical photographs were chemically developed and electronically scanned by the onboard systems. The probe transmitted 17 frames to Soviet tracking stations on Earth.

"Before man can land on the Moon (departure-point for outer-space exploration, see card No. 2) the surface of the Moon must be accurately surveyed to determine not only its features and composition, but also its atmosphere and temperature. The first of such surveys was made by the Russians in October, 1959, by a rocket which orbited the Moon and the Earth, and which transmitted by radar photographs of that side of the Moon never before seen by man."