Ranger 3

US spaceprobe to the Moon. Ranger 3 was launched on January 26, 1962 aboard a Atlas Agena B from Cape Canaveral & Kennedy. Latest status in GCAT: left Earth orbit for deep space (Jan 28, 1962).

COSPAR 1962 ALP 1NORAD 221United States

Identity

Name in GCAT: Ranger 3
Payload designation: NASA P-34
Other names: RA-3:P
International designator: 1962 ALP 1
NORAD catalog number: 221
GCAT identifier: S00221
UN registration: A/AC.105/INF.001

Mission

Mission type: Deep space
Use: Civil government
Program: Ranger II
Owner: JPL
Country: United States
Builder: Jet Propulsion Lab
Platform (bus): Ranger Block II

Launch

Date: January 26, 1962 · 20:30 UTC
Launch record: 1962 ALPSuccess
Rocket: Atlas Agena B
Spaceport: Cape Canaveral & Kennedy · pad LC12

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): EEO
Perigee: 275 km
Inclination: 29.54°
Status: Left Earth orbit for deep space
Status date: January 28, 1962
Last known active: Feb 2, 1962
End of operations: Feb 2, 1962

Size

Mass: 188 kg
Dry mass: 188 kg
Total mass with attached objects: 336 kg
Length: 1.0 m
Diameter: 1.50 m
Span: 5.2 m

Deep space

Deep-space catalog entry: D00022
Final central body: Luna
Phase start: January 28, 1962
Phase outcome: Escaped to another body, attached · January 28, 1962
Destination: Earth

Flight phases

From	Central body	Ended	Outcome	Next
Jan 28, 1962	Earth	Jan 29, 1962	Escaped to another body, attached	HCO
Jan 28, 1962	Earth	Jan 28, 1962	Escaped to another body, attached	Luna

Landings and impacts

World	Type	Result	Touchdown	Site	Coordinates
Luna	Secondary component	Flew past	—	—	—

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q609623 (CC0).