Soviet/Russian planetary exploration: Historical highlights

Abstract The history of Soviet/Russian space exploration is briefly discussed and is mainly focussed on the lunar-planetary programme. The most important results including space technology advancement and science return are highlighted as contributions to world space heritage. The Soviets were the first to land space vehicles on the Moon, on Venus and on Mars. Nowadays Russia still experiences some problems in lunar-planetary exploration caused by the so called “perestroika” at the turn of the century, however, it is hoped that these will be overcome and that the space study of the Moon and planets will progress in the new Russia.