Luna 2 was a Soviet spacecraft launched on September 12, 1959. It became the first human-made object to reach the Moon, impacting its surface on September 12, 1959. The mission aimed to gather data about the Moon's environment and surface. The spacecraft was a spherical metal capsule equipped with scientific instruments to measure cosmic rays, magnetic fields, and solar wind. Luna 2 successfully transmitted data back to Earth, marking a significant achievement in the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union.