HOW soon after the US landed astronauts on the moon did the then Soviet Union make its first, robotic landing? This handy little guide to rockets, satellites, shuttles, launch sites and historic space missions tells you (if you were wondering, the USSR鈥檚 Luna 16 landed on 20 September 1970, more than a year after the Americans). There鈥檚 a heap of other fascinating facts, including the sad fate of Laika, the Russian dog sent into space: a thermal error in Sputnik 2鈥檚 cabin baked the poor mutt in orbit. Gripping stuff, not only for space fans but also for pub-quiz regulars.
Jane鈥檚 Space Recognition Guide
Collins