January 26, 1962 8:30 pm
Ranger 3
|
Atlas Agena B
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
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Last Updated:
2026-07-13 23:10:36
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.
Launch Overview
Window Open
20:30 UTC
Window Close
20:30 UTC
Lift Off
Jan 26, 1962 · 20:30 UTC
Launch Facility
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Launch Pad
Launch Complex 12
Target Orbit
Heliocentric N/A
Payload Overview
Customer
United States Air Force
Payload
Ranger 3
Rocket
Atlas Agena B
Destination
Heliocentric N/A
Recovery Overview
Landing Location
See Mission Notes
Landing Type
RTLS / Droneship
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.
Height
LEO Payload
Total Launches
Status
United States Air Force
Launch Complex 12
Launch Overview
Window Open
20:30 UTC
Window Close
20:30 UTC
Lift Off
Jan 26, 1962 · 20:30 UTC
Launch Facility
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Launch Pad
Launch Complex 12
Target Orbit
Heliocentric N/A
Payload Overview
Customer
United States Air Force
Payload
Ranger 3
Rocket
Atlas Agena B
Destination
Heliocentric N/A
Recovery Overview
Landing Location
See Mission Notes
Landing Type
RTLS / Droneship
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