CIA’s “Stealthy Spy Job” ! 

In 1959, the CIA conducted a covert operation, under the veil of the Cold War, to gain access to a Soviet exhibit that featured a model of the Luna 2 spacecraft.

The team gained 24 hours of unrestricted access to the exhibit. They “Kidnapped” the Soviet spacecraft , meticulously photographed every part and documented every construction element, then perfectly reassembled the whole thing without leaving a trace. 

This operation was carried out on a Soviet exhibit that was part of an exhibition promoting Soviet industrial and economic achievements.

This audacious operation provided the United States with invaluable intelligence on the design and capabilities of the Soviet spacecraft. It helped American leaders be better prepared to respond to a new Soviet threat and gave the US armed forces insight into potential offensive military spinoffs.