But the expected pictures from that mission were not produced because the rocket missed the Moon by 22, 862 miles (36, 793km).

BBC: 1962: First US rocket lands on Moon

The television pictures on board were designed to begin operating when the rocket came within 2, 500 miles (4, 023km) of the lunar surface - 40 minutes before impact - and then send an image of the Moon back to Earth every 13 seconds.

BBC: 1962: First US rocket lands on Moon

Just days after its launch on a Soyuz rocket, the new French high-resolution Pleiades imaging satellite has sent down its first pictures.

BBC: Sharp-eyed Pleiades returns first pictures