After validating the system on known landing sites—such as Luna 16—researchers deployed it to search for Luna 9.
The results were promising. The AI identified a cluster of candidate objects near coordinates 7.03° N, –64.33° E that align with expectations for the spacecraft’s debris field.
According to the research team:
“These results do not constitute definitive proof of the lander’s recovery, but they identify a credible site for targeted re-imaging.”
The findings were published in the journal npj Space Exploration, marking a significant step forward in combining AI with planetary science.
Soviet Spacecraft Luna 9: Why This Discovery Matters
The possible rediscovery of Soviet Spacecraft Luna 9 is more than a historical footnote—it demonstrates how modern technology can unlock secrets from the earliest days of the Space Race.
It also highlights the growing role of AI in space exploration. As the researchers concluded:
“Compact deep-learning architectures such as YOLO-ETA can extend beyond Earth orbit, enabling systematic surveys of the Moon’s technological artefacts.”
