1st probe aimed to hit Moon instead became 1st to orbit Sun
On January 2, 1959, the Soviets launched Luna 1 in the direction of the Moon. As there were no propulsion systems on the sphere-shaped spacecraft, instead of impacting the Moon as intended, it passed within 6,000 km of the Moon's surface. After a 34-hour flight, it instead became the first spacecraft to orbit the Sun, staying between Earth and Mars.