Luna 19 extended the systematic study of lunar gravitational fields and location of mascons (mass concentrations).

For these orbiters, designated Ye-8LS, the basic “lander stage” was topped off by a wheelless Lunokhod-like frame that housed all scientific instrumentation in a pressurized container.

Other scientific experiments included extensive studies on the shape and strength of the lunar gravitational field and the locations of the mascons.

Occultation experiments in May and June 1972 allowed scientists to determine the concentration of charged particles at an altitude of 10 kilometers.

Additional studies of the solar wind were evidently coordinated with those performed by the Mars 2 and 3 orbiters and Veneras 7 and 8.