Ranger (1961 - 1965)

Images taken by Ranger 7 one second before impact



More information on Ranger missions and cameras

Lunar images from Ranger and other missions



The earlier Rangers, 1 through 6, all failed for various reasons. Information on these missions is given below:

Ranger 1

Launched 23 August 1961

Failed to leave Earth parking orbit



Ranger 2

Launched 18 November 1961

Failed to leave Earth parking orbit



Ranger 3

Launched 26 January 1962

Earth contact lost, missed the Moon by ~36,800 km



Ranger 4

Launched 23 April 1962

Sequencer failed, impacted the Moon 26 April 1962



Ranger 5

Launched 18 October 1962

Earth contact lost, missed the Moon by 725 km



Ranger 6

Launched 30 January 1964

Cameras failed, impacted the Moon 2 February 1964



Images of the Moon - Ranger and Other Spacecraft



Lunar Impact: A History of Project Ranger (NASA SP-4210, 1977)

Ranger information at the Lunar and Planetary Institute



Moon home page

Lunar Exploration home page



Author/Curator:

Dr. David R. Williams, dave.williams@nasa.gov

NSSDCA, Mail Code 690.1

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Greenbelt, MD 20771

+1-301-286-1258



NASA Official: Dr. David R. Williams, david.r.williams@nasa.gov

Last Updated: 22 September 2005, DRW