... Luna 9: First Soft Lander . ... Explanation: The Luna 9 spacecraft above performed the first soft landing on another planetary body. ... A pole, just visible extending at the lower left, sensed the impact with the lunar surface, triggering the spacecraft to eject the weighted, egg-shaped capsule (upper right). The 250 pound capsule then struck the surface , rolled upright, unfolded four spring actuated petals to steady itself, and transmitted the first views from the lunar surface back to Earth. ...