Ranger 6 made it to the Moon and impacted as planned, but no pictures were returned due to a short in the power supply for the TV camera package
Today is the 40th anniversary of the lunar impact of Ranger 6, the first semi-successful NASA effort to get close-up pictures of the lunar surface.
Ranger 6 made it to the Moon, slamming into the surface as planned. But no pictures were returned due to a short in the power supply for the TV camera package.
The mission was the first in a series to test new technologies such as deploying solar panels. The breakthroughs ultimately enabled spacecraft to travel further and perform better in deep space, according to NASA. Ranger 6 carried six cameras and was sterilized to avoid contaminating the lunar surface.
Ranger 7 succeeded in sending back photos of the
lunar surface before impact. To see surface images and learn more about the
series of missions, click here.
Credit: NASA
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