NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Partial Failure

Ranger 3

Launch Time
Fri Jan 26, 1962 20:30 UTC

Failure of both the Atlas and Agena guidance systems; probe sent on an incorrect trajectory.

Rocket

Atlas-LV3 Agena-B
Image Credit: USAF or NASA
General Dynamics
Status: Retired
Payload to LEO: 1,725 kg
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 0

Mission Details

Ranger 3

Ranger 3 was a space exploration mission conducted by NASA to study the Moon. The Ranger 3 robotic spacecraft was launched on January 26, 1962, as part of the Ranger program. Due to a series of malfunctions, the spacecraft missed the Moon by 22,000 mi (35,000 km) and entered a heliocentric orbit.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 330.0 kg
Trans Lunar Injection

Location

LC-12, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

Stats

1962

3rd orbital launch attempt

Atlas-Agena

12th mission
1st mission of 1962