The Ranger spacecraft gave scientists their first close look at the lunar surface. Nine Rangers were launched from 1961 through 1965. The first six attempts failed, but beginning in July 1964, Rangers 7, 8, and 9 successfully completed their 65-hour journeys to the Moon by transmitting television pictures of the lunar surface during the final minutes until their impact there. These pictures revealed details that could not be seen through telescopes on Earth. Each Ranger spacecraft had six cameras on board. The cameras were fundamentally the same with differences in exposure times, fields of view, lenses, and scan rates. The images provided better resolution than was available from Earth-based views by a factor of 1,000. These highly detailed images aided Apollo planners in locating landing sites.

The spacecraft on exhibit is a replica of the final four Ranger spacecraft. It is made of parts from Ranger test vehicles and was transferred from NASA to the Museum in 1977.

Display Status

This object is on display in Destination Moon at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

Destination Moon

Object Details

Key Accomplishment(s)

First Close-up Views of the Lunar Surface

Brief Description

The Ranger program was a series of spacecraft launched from 1961 through 1965 to return closeup images of the lunar surface. Rangers 7, 8, and 9 reached the Moon and transmitted television pictures of the lunar surface until they were destroyed on impact.

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed

Manufacturer

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology

Dimensions

Overall: 10 ft. 3 in. tall x 15 ft. wide, 784.2 lb. (312.42 x 457.2cm, 355.7kg)

Materials

Metal, plastic, assorted composites.

Alternate Name

Ranger Spacecraft

Inventory Number

A19770993000

Credit Line

Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.

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