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Unmanned Spaceflight.com _ Lunar Exploration _ Ranger 3

Posted by: BYEMAN Jan 2 2023, 04:38 PM

Ranger 3 prelaunch preparations with emphasis on the lunar capsule.

https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAmvNL

Posted by: Phil Stooke Jan 3 2023, 12:36 AM

Very nice, thanks!

And to extend the story, here are the impact site targets for the mission. There were 4 days in the launch period - outside that the lighting was not suitable. For any day the point of vertical descent is shown (allowing nested imaging) - those were pretty much the targets for Rangers 3 and 4, but for Ranger 5 they were expanded to stay closer to the terminator. For day 1 the spacecraft would be directed at the 'reference target' and then deflected to hit either the primary or alternative targets, whichever was most reachable. I think the other days show the primary targets.

Phil

Posted by: Phil Stooke Jan 3 2023, 06:25 AM

Just noticed... the thread is titled Ranger 5 but the Flickr page is titled Ranger 3. My post was about Ranger 5... I hope that is what was intended.

Phil

Posted by: BYEMAN Jan 3 2023, 12:36 PM

QUOTE (Phil Stooke @ Jan 3 2023, 01:25 AM)

Just noticed... the thread is titled Ranger 5 but the Flickr page is titled Ranger 3. My post was about Ranger 5... I hope that is what was intended.

Phil

It was suppose to be Ranger 3. Sorry about that. I will have a Ranger 5 thread.

Topic title edited- Admin

Posted by: Phil Stooke Jan 3 2023, 08:40 PM

OK, so here are the Ranger 3 and 4 targets for 4 dates in the launch period for each mission. Each site allows for a vertical descent so the low resolution images would be nested. These early cameras were far less capable than the later (missions 6-9) Ranger camera systems.

Phil