Photo: NASA · Public domain (US government)
About this launch
Ranger 3 was a spacecraft designed to transmit pictures of the lunar surface during the last 10 minutes prior to impacting the Moon. A malfunction in the booster guidance system resulted in excessive spacecraft speed. Ranger 3 missed the Moon by 36,800 km and is now in a heliocentric orbit.
More about this launch
Launch window and padCape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
- Site
- Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Rocket and boosterAtlas LV-3 Agena B
- Vehicle
- Atlas LV-3 Agena B
Atlas LV-3 Agena B: specs, record and next flights → US Air Force: all its launches →
MissionLunar Exploration · Helio-N/A
Lunar Exploration · Helio-N/A
What it put in orbit2 catalogued objects, 1 of them satellites
| Object | Type | Orbit | Globe |
|---|---|---|---|
| RANGER 3 1962-001A | Payload | orbits the Sun | |
| ATLAS AGENA B R/B 1962-001B | Rocket body | orbits the Sun |
COSPAR ID 1962-001. Orbits from the CelesTrak satellite catalogue (perigee × apogee, inclination).
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