RANGER
(replica)
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.
The spacecraft on exhibit is a replica of the final three Ranger spacecraft.
It is made of parts of Ranger test vehicles.
| Height: |
3.1 m (10 ft 3 in) |
| Width: |
4.6 m (15 ft) |
| Weight: |
366 kg (809 lb) |
| Manufacturer: |
Jet Propulsion Laboratory |
| Launch vehicle: |
Atlas-Agena B |
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration