Atlas Agena Mariner Credit - © Thom Media Gallery

Atlas D with improved, enlarged Agena upper stage.

Manufacturer: Convair. Launches: 28. Failures: 8. Success Rate: 71.43%. First Launch Date: 1961-07-12. Last Launch Date: 1965-03-21. Launch data is: complete. Payload: 850 kg (1,870 lb). to a: Geosynchronous transfer trajectory. Apogee: 400,000 km (240,000 mi). Associated Spacecraft: Dash, ERS, Mariner 1-2, Midas, OGO, Ranger 1-2, Ranger 3-4-5, Ranger 6-7-8-9, Samos, TRS, WestFord Needles, Mariner R. Liftoff Thrust: 1,721.100 kN (386,919 lbf). Total Mass: 127,367 kg (280,796 lb). Core Diameter: 3.05 m (10.00 ft). Total Length: 33.00 m (108.00 ft).

• Stage Number: 0. 1 x Stage: Atlas MA-3. Gross Mass: 3,174 kg (6,997 lb). Empty Mass: 3,174 kg (6,997 lb). Thrust (vac): 1,644.960 kN (369,802 lbf). Isp: 290 sec. Burn time: 120 sec. Isp(sl): 256 sec. Diameter: 4.90 m (16.00 ft). Span: 4.90 m (16.00 ft). Length: 0.00 m ( ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 2. Engine: LR-89-5.

• Stage Number: 1. 1 x Stage: Atlas Agena SLV-3. Gross Mass: 117,026 kg (257,998 lb). Empty Mass: 2,326 kg (5,127 lb). Thrust (vac): 386.300 kN (86,844 lbf). Isp: 316 sec. Burn time: 265 sec. Isp(sl): 220 sec. Diameter: 3.05 m (10.00 ft). Span: 4.90 m (16.00 ft). Length: 20.67 m (67.81 ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 1. Engine: LR-105-5. Status: Out of production.

• Stage Number: 2. 1 x Stage: Agena B. Gross Mass: 7,167 kg (15,800 lb). Empty Mass: 867 kg (1,911 lb). Thrust (vac): 71.166 kN (15,999 lbf). Isp: 285 sec. Burn time: 240 sec. Isp(sl): 0 sec. Diameter: 1.52 m (4.98 ft). Span: 1.52 m (4.98 ft). Length: 7.09 m (23.26 ft). Propellants: Nitric acid/UDMH. No Engines: 1. Engine: Bell 8081.

1961 July 12 - 15:11 GMT - Launch Site: Point Arguello. Launch Complex: LC1-2. Launch Pad: LC1-2. Launch Vehicle: Atlas LV-3A / Agena B. Model: Atlas Agena B. LV Configuration: Atlas Agena B 97D / Agena B 1201.

• Midas 3 Nation: USA. Payload: Midas / Agena TV 1201. Mass: 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Class: Early Warning. Spacecraft: Midas. Agency: U.S. Air Force. Perigee: 3,343 km (2,077 mi). Apogee: 3,540 km (2,190 mi). Inclination: 91.20 deg. Period: 161.40 min. COSPAR: 1961-Sigma-1. USAF Sat Cat: 163. Missile Defense Alarm System. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 171, 172, 278.

• Ranger 1 Nation: USA. Program: Ranger. Payload: NASA P-32 (RA-1). Mass: 306 kg (674 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Lunar. Spacecraft: Ranger 1-2. Agency: NASA. Perigee: 179 km (111 mi). Apogee: 446 km (277 mi). Inclination: 32.90 deg. Period: 90.60 min. COSPAR: 1961-Phi-1. USAF Sat Cat: 173. Decay Date: 1961-08-30. Lunar probe; failed to leave Earth orbit. Ranger 1, a test version of the spacecraft which would attempt an unmanned crash landing on the moon, was launched from the Atlantic Missile Range by an Atlas-Agena B booster. The 306 kg spacecraft did not attain the scheduled extremely elongated orbit because of the misfiring of the Agena B rocket. Although the spacecraft systems were tested successfully, only part of the eight project experiments could be carried out. Ranger 1 reentered on August 29 after 111 orbits. Ranger 1's primary mission was to test the performance of those functions and parts that are necessary for carrying out subsequent lunar and planetary missions using essentially the same spacecraft design.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278, 296.

• Samos 3 Nation: USA. Payload: Samos E-2 no. 1. Mass: 1,890 kg (4,160 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Samos. Agency: U.S. Air Force. COSPAR: F610909A. Decay Date: 1961-09-09. First generation photo surveillance; radio relay of images. References: 5, 126, 278.

• Midas 4 Nation: USA. Payload: Midas / Agena TV 1202. Mass: 1,800 kg (3,900 lb). Class: Early Warning. Spacecraft: Midas. Agency: U.S. Air Force. Perigee: 3,482 km (2,163 mi). Apogee: 3,763 km (2,338 mi). Inclination: 95.90 deg. Period: 165.90 min. COSPAR: 1961-A-Delta-1. USAF Sat Cat: 192. Missile Defense Alarm System. Deployed subsatellites. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 171, 172, 278.

• Westford Nation: USA. Payload: Westford. Spacecraft: WestFord Needles. Agency: USAF. COSPAR: 1961-A-Delta-3. USAF Sat Cat: 194. References: 279.

• Ranger 2 Nation: USA. Program: Ranger. Payload: NASA P-33 (RA-2). Mass: 304 kg (670 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Lunar. Spacecraft: Ranger 1-2. Agency: NASA. Perigee: 150 km (90 mi). Apogee: 242 km (150 mi). Inclination: 33.30 deg. Period: 88.30 min. COSPAR: 1961-A-Theta-1. USAF Sat Cat: 206. Decay Date: 1961-11-20. This was a flight test of the Ranger spacecraft system designed for future lunar and interplanetary missions. The spacecraft was launched into a low earth parking orbit, but an inoperative roll gyro prevented Agena restart resulting in Ranger 2 being stranded in low earth orbit. The orbit decayed and the spacecraft reentered Earth's atmosphere on 20 November 1961.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 16, 278, 296.

• Samos 4 Nation: USA. Payload: Samos E-5 no. 1. Mass: 1,860 kg (4,100 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Samos. Agency: U.S. Air Force. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). COSPAR: F611122A. Decay Date: 1961-11-22. First generation photo surveillance; return of camera and film by capsule; SAMOS type satellite. References: 5, 126, 278.

• Samos 5 Nation: USA. Payload: Samos E-5 no. 2. Mass: 1,860 kg (4,100 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Samos. Agency: U.S. Air Force. Perigee: 187 km (116 mi). Apogee: 310 km (190 mi). Inclination: 89.60 deg. Period: 89.40 min. COSPAR: 1961-A-Lambda-2. USAF Sat Cat: 218. Decay Date: 1962-01-09. First generation photo surveillance; return of camera and film by capsule; SAMOS type satellite. Reached orbit but failed to deorbit and be recovered. In his memoirs Sergei Khrushchev recounts recovery of what he believed to be a recoverable Samos, except the date given is the winter before tests of this configuration actually started. He relates that a second American capsule was recovered in the spring of 1961. It was equipped with a 30 cm lens and 100’s of metres of 10 cm wide film. Also recovered were a pear-shaped module made of fibreglass, and an inertial orientation system powered by electric motors. It may have been a SAMOS prototype. The capsule was found by tractor drivers, who disassembled it and used the film to wrap around the frame of their outhouse to provide some privacy in the treeless area. Unfortunately this ruined the film, preventing the Russians from developing it and discovering the technical capabilities of the system.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• Ranger 3 Nation: USA. Program: Ranger. Payload: NASA P-34 (RA-3). Mass: 327 kg (720 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Lunar. Spacecraft: Ranger 3-4-5. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1962-Alpha-1. USAF Sat Cat: 221. Lunar impact probe; missed the moon by 36,874 km and went into solar orbit. A malfunction in the booster guidance system resulted in excessive spacecraft speed. Reversed command signals caused the telemetry antenna to lose earth acquisition, and mid-course correction was not possible. Some useful data were obtained from the flight. Of four scientific experiments only one was partially completed: gamma-ray readings of the lunar surface. Attempts to relay television pictures of the moon and to bounce radar signals off the moon at close range were unsuccessful.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 16, 278, 296.

• Samos 6 Nation: USA. Payload: Samos E-5 no. 3. Mass: 1,860 kg (4,100 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Samos. Agency: U.S. Air Force. Perigee: 236 km (146 mi). Apogee: 686 km (426 mi). Inclination: 90.90 deg. Period: 93.90 min. COSPAR: 1962-Eta-3. USAF Sat Cat: 259. Decay Date: 1963-06-07. First generation photo surveillance; return of camera and film by capsule; SAMOS type satellite. Failed to return camera and film. Samos film return project cancelled; remaining 4 cameras placed in warehouse and later used on KH-6 Lanyard. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• Midas 5 Nation: USA. Payload: Midas / Agena TV 1203. Mass: 1,860 kg (4,100 lb). Class: Early Warning. Spacecraft: Midas. Agency: U.S. Air Force. Perigee: 2,784 km (1,729 mi). Apogee: 3,405 km (2,115 mi). Inclination: 86.70 deg. Period: 152.90 min. COSPAR: 1962-Kappa-1. USAF Sat Cat: 271. Missile Defense Alarm System. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 171, 172, 278.

• West Ford Drag Nation: USA. Payload: West Ford Drag Experiment. Spacecraft: WestFord Needles. Agency: USAF. COSPAR: 1962-Kappa-2. USAF Sat Cat: 272. Decay Date: 1962-05-04. References: 279.

• Ranger 4 Nation: USA. Program: Ranger. Mass: 328 kg (723 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Lunar. Spacecraft: Ranger 3-4-5. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1962-Mu-1. USAF Sat Cat: 280. Decay Date: 1962-04-26. Ranger IV was launched by an Atlas-Agena B booster from the Atlantic Missile Range, attained a parking orbit, and was fired into the proper lunar trajectory by the restart of the Agena B engine. Failure of a timer in the spacecraft payload caused loss of both internal and ground control over the vehicle. The Goldstone Tracking Station maintained contact with the spacecraft until it passed behind the left edge of the moon on April 26. It impacted at a speed of 9,617 km per hour, the first American spacecraft to land on the lunar surface. The Agena B second stage passed to the right of the moon and later went into orbit around the sun. Lunar photography objectives were not achieved.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278, 296.

• Samos 7 Nation: USA. Payload: Samos E-6 no. 1 / Agena B 2401. Mass: 1,588 kg (3,500 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Samos. Agency: U.S. Air Force. COSPAR: 1962-Pi-1. USAF Sat Cat: 286. Decay Date: 1962-04-28. Second generation photo surveillance; radio relay of images; Satellite and Missile Observation Satellite. Poor results. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• FTV 2401 RV Nation: USA. Payload: E-6 RV. Spacecraft: Samos. Agency: USAF. COSPAR: 1962-Pi-xx. References: 279.

• Samos 8 Nation: USA. Payload: Samos E-2 no. 2 / Agena B 2402. Mass: 1,860 kg (4,100 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Samos. Agency: U.S. Air Force. Perigee: 198 km (123 mi). Apogee: 198 km (123 mi). Inclination: 96.20 deg. Period: 88.40 min. COSPAR: 1962-Psi-1. USAF Sat Cat: 307. Decay Date: 1962-06-18. First generation photo surveillance; radio relay of images; Satellite and Missile Observation Satellite. Poor results. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• FTV 2402 RV Nation: USA. Payload: E-6 RV. Spacecraft: Samos. Agency: USAF. COSPAR: 1962-Psi-xx. References: 279.

• Samos 9 Nation: USA. Payload: Samos E-2 no. 3 / Agena B 2403. Mass: 1,860 kg (4,100 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Samos. Agency: U.S. Air Force. Perigee: 184 km (114 mi). Apogee: 234 km (145 mi). Inclination: 96.00 deg. Period: 88.60 min. COSPAR: 1962-A-Zeta-1. USAF Sat Cat: 342. Decay Date: 1962-07-25. First generation photo surveillance; radio relay of images; Satellite and Missile Observation Satellite. Poor results. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• FTV 2403 RV Nation: USA. Payload: E-6 RV. Spacecraft: Samos. Agency: USAF. COSPAR: 1962-A-Zeta-2. USAF Sat Cat: 343. Decay Date: 1962-07-27. References: 279.

• Mariner 1 Nation: USA. Program: Mariner. Payload: Mariner R-1. Mass: 200 kg (440 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Venus. Spacecraft: Mariner 1-2. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: F620722A. Decay Date: 1962-07-22. Venus probe. References: 5, 126, 278.

• FTV 2404 Nation: USA. Payload: AFP-201 PVP 854. Spacecraft: Samos. Agency: USAF. COSPAR: 1962-A-Lambda-1. USAF Sat Cat: 361. Decay Date: 1962-08-06. References: 279.

• Samos 10 Nation: USA. Payload: Samos E-6 no. 2 / Agena B 2404. Mass: 1,860 kg (4,100 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Samos. Agency: U.S. Air Force. Perigee: 201 km (124 mi). Apogee: 203 km (126 mi). Inclination: 96.20 deg. Period: 88.50 min. COSPAR: 1962-A-Lambda-2. USAF Sat Cat: 361. Decay Date: 1962-08-06. Second generation photo surveillance; radio relay of images; Satellite and Missile Observation Satellite. Poor results. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• FTV 2404 RV Nation: USA. Payload: E-6 RV. Spacecraft: Samos. Agency: USAF. COSPAR: 1962-A-Lambda-xx. References: 279.

• Mariner 2 Nation: USA. Program: Mariner. Payload: Mariner R-2. Mass: 201 kg (443 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Venus. Spacecraft: Mariner 1-2. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1962-A-Rho-1. USAF Sat Cat: 374. Mariner 2 was the first spacecraft to successfully flyby another planet. It was a backup for the Mariner 1 mission which failed shortly after launch to Venus. After launch and termination of the Agena first burn, the Agena-Mariner was in a 118 km altitude Earth parking orbit. The Agena second burn injected the Mariner 2 spacecraft into a geocentric escape hyperbola at 26 minutes 3 seconds after lift-off. Solar panel extension was completed about 44 minutes after launch. On 29 August 1962 cruise science experiments were turned on. A midcourse maneuver was initiated at 22:49:00 GMT on 4 September and completed at 2:45:25 GMT 5 September. On 8 September at 17:50 GMT the spacecraft suddenly lost its attitude control, which was restored by the gyroscopes 3 minutes later. The cause was unknown but may have been a collision with a small object. On October 31 the output from one solar panel deteriorated abruptly, and the science cruise instruments were turned off. A week later the panel resumed normal function and instruments were turned back on. The panel permanently failed on 15 November, but Mariner 2 was close enough to the Sun that one panel could supply adequate power. On December 14 the radiometers were turned on. Mariner 2 approached Venus from 30 degrees above the dark side of the planet, and passed below the planet at its closest distance of 34,773 km at 19:59:28 GMT 14 December 1962. After encounter, cruise mode resumed. Spacecraft perihelion occurred on 27 December at a distance of 105,464,560 km. The last transmission from Mariner 2 was received on 3 January 1963 at 07:00 GMT. Mariner 2 remains in heliocentric orbit. Scientific discoveries made by Mariner 2 included a slow retrograde rotation rate for Venus, hot surface temperatures and high surface pressures, a predominantly carbon dioxide atmosphere, continuous cloud cover with a top altitude of about 60 km, and no detectable magnetic field. It was also shown that in interplanetary space the solar wind streams continuously and the cosmic dust density is much lower than the near-Earth region. Improved estimates of Venus' mass and the value of the astronomical unit were made.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278, 296.

• Ranger 5 Nation: USA. Program: Ranger. Mass: 340 kg (740 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Lunar. Spacecraft: Ranger 3-4-5. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 1962-B-Eta-1. USAF Sat Cat: 439. The Ranger V lunar probe was launched from Atlantic Missile Range by an Atlas-Agena B launch vehicle. The Agena B stage attained parking orbit and 25 minutes later reignited to send Ranger V toward the moon. A malfunction in the Agena B guidance system resulted in excessive spacecraft velocity. The spacecraft's solar cells did not provide power and reversed command signals caused the telemetry antenna to lose earth acquisition. This made reception of the flight-path correction signal impossible and rendering its television cameras useless. Reversed command signals caused the telemetry antenna to lose earth acquisition, and mid-course correction was not possible. The spacecraft missed the Moon by 725 km and went into solar orbit. Gamma-ray data were collected for 4 hours prior to the loss of power. Ranger V was to have relayed television pictures of the lunar surface and rough-landed an instrumented capsule containing a seismometer. The spacecraft was tracked for 8 hours, 44 minutes, before its small reserve battery went dead.Additional Details: Ranger 5(112). References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 16, 278, 296.

• Samos 11 Nation: USA. Payload: Samos E-6 no. 3 / TRS 1 / Agena B 2405. Mass: 1,860 kg (4,100 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Samos. Agency: U.S. Air Force. Perigee: 128 km (79 mi). Apogee: 292 km (181 mi). Inclination: 96.00 deg. Period: 88.70 min. COSPAR: 1962-B-Pi-1. USAF Sat Cat: 455. Decay Date: 1962-11-12. Second generation photo surveillance; radio relay of images; Satellite and Missile Observation Satellite. Poor results. SAMOS project cancelled. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• TRS 1 Nation: USA. Payload: ERS 1. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: ERS. Agency: USAF AFSC. COSPAR: 1962-B-Pi-xx. References: 279.

• FTV 2405 RV Nation: USA. Payload: E-6 RV. Spacecraft: Samos. Agency: USAF AFSC. COSPAR: 1962-B-Pi-xx. References: 279.

• Midas 6 Nation: USA. Payload: Midas / Agena TV 1205. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Class: Early Warning. Spacecraft: Midas. Agency: U.S. Air Force. COSPAR: F621217A. Decay Date: 1962-12-17. Missile Defense Alarm System. Carried ERS-3, ERS-4 subsatellites. References: 5, 126, 278.

• TRS 3 Nation: USA. Payload: ERS 3. Spacecraft: Midas. Agency: USAF AFSC. COSPAR: F621217B. References: 279.

• TRS 4 Nation: USA. Payload: ERS 4. Spacecraft: Midas. Agency: USAF AFSC. COSPAR: F621217C. References: 279.

• Midas 7 Nation: USA. Payload: Midas / Agena TV 1206. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Class: Early Warning. Spacecraft: Midas. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 3,609 km (2,242 mi). Apogee: 3,680 km (2,280 mi). Inclination: 87.30 deg. Period: 166.40 min. COSPAR: 1963-014A. USAF Sat Cat: 574. MIDAS 7 was the first operational MIDAS mission and the first equipped with the W-37 sensor. During its six weeks of operation, MIDAS 7 recorded nine US ICBM launches, including the first missile launch ever detected from space. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 171, 172, 278.

• TRS 2 Nation: USA. Payload: ERS 5. Mass: 1.00 kg (2.20 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: TRS. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 2,269 km (1,409 mi). Apogee: 4,902 km (3,045 mi). Inclination: 87.20 deg. Period: 165.00 min. COSPAR: 1963-014B. USAF Sat Cat: 579. Decay Date: 1973-07-31. Solar cells damage data. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• TRS 3 Nation: USA. Payload: ERS 6. Mass: 1.00 kg (2.20 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: TRS. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 3,591 km (2,231 mi). Apogee: 3,691 km (2,293 mi). Inclination: 87.30 deg. Period: 166.40 min. COSPAR: 1963-014C. USAF Sat Cat: 608. Solar cells damage data. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• Dash 1 Nation: USA. Class: Technology. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Dash. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 3,558 km (2,210 mi). Apogee: 3,724 km (2,313 mi). Inclination: 87.30 deg. Period: 166.30 min. COSPAR: 1963-014D. USAF Sat Cat: 589. References: 2, 5, 6, 278.

• Westford Nation: USA. Class: Communications. Type: Passive. Spacecraft: Westford Needles. Agency: USAF AFSC. COSPAR: 1963-014xx. References: 279.

• Midas 8 Nation: USA. Payload: Midas / Agena TV 1204. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Class: Early Warning. Spacecraft: Midas. Agency: U.S. Air Force. COSPAR: F630613A. Decay Date: 1963-06-12. Missile Defense Alarm System. Carried ERS-7, ERS-8 subsatellites. References: 5, 126, 171, 172, 278.

• TRS 7 Nation: USA. Payload: ERS 7. Spacecraft: Midas. Agency: USAF AFSC. COSPAR: F630613B. References: 279.

• TRS 8 Nation: USA. Payload: ERS 8. Spacecraft: Midas. Agency: USAF AFSC. COSPAR: F630613C. References: 279.

• Midas 9 Nation: USA. Payload: Midas / Agena TV 1207. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Class: Early Warning. Spacecraft: Midas. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 3,676 km (2,284 mi). Apogee: 3,726 km (2,315 mi). Inclination: 88.40 deg. Period: 167.90 min. COSPAR: 1963-030A. USAF Sat Cat: 622. Missile Defense Alarm System. Did not eject ERS 10 subsatellite. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 171, 172, 278.

• TRS 4 Nation: USA. Payload: ERS 9. Mass: 2.00 kg (4.40 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: TRS. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 3,661 km (2,274 mi). Apogee: 3,736 km (2,321 mi). Inclination: 88.40 deg. Period: 167.80 min. COSPAR: 1963-030B. USAF Sat Cat: 635. Radiation damage data. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• Dash 2 Nation: USA. Class: Technology. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Dash. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 3,573 km (2,220 mi). Apogee: 3,839 km (2,385 mi). Inclination: 88.50 deg. Period: 168.00 min. COSPAR: 1963-030D. USAF Sat Cat: 624. Decay Date: 1971-04-12. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A). References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• TRS 10 Nation: USA. Payload: ERS 10. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: ERS. Agency: USAF AFSC. COSPAR: 1963-030xx. References: 279.

• Ranger 6 Nation: USA. Program: Ranger. Payload: RA-6. Mass: 362 kg (798 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Lunar. Spacecraft: Ranger 6-7-8-9. Agency: NASA/JPL. COSPAR: 1964-007A. USAF Sat Cat: 747. Decay Date: 1964-02-02. Impacted Moon but TV camera malfunctioned. A midcourse trajectory correction was accomplished early in the flight by ground control. On February 2, 1964, 65.5 hours after launch, Ranger 6 impacted the Moon on the eastern edge of Mare Tranquillitatis (Sea of Tranquility). No camera data were obtained, probably because of failure due to an arc-over in the TV power system when it inadvertently turned on during the period of booster-engine separation.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278, 296.

• Ranger 7 Nation: USA. Program: Ranger. Mass: 362 kg (798 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Lunar. Spacecraft: Ranger 6-7-8-9. Agency: NASA/JPL. COSPAR: 1964-041A. USAF Sat Cat: 842. Decay Date: 1964-07-31. First successful Ranger; returned 4,308 photos before lunar impact. The Atlas- Agena B inserted the Agena and Ranger into a 192 km altitude Earth parking orbit. Half an hour after launch a second burn of the Agena engine injected the spacecraft into a lunar intercept trajectory. After separation from the Agena, the solar panels were deployed, attitude control activated, and spacecraft transmissions switched from the omniantenna to the high-gain antenna. The next day the planned mid-course maneuver was successfully initiated at 10:27 GMT. The only anomaly during flight was a brief loss of two-way lock on the spacecraft by the DSIF tracking station at Cape Kennedy following launch.

  Ranger 7 reached the Moon on 31 July. The F-channel began its one minute warm up 18 minutes before impact. The first image was taken at 13:08:45 GMT at an altitude of 2110 km. Transmission of 4,308 photographs of excellent quality occurred over the final 17 minutes of flight. The final image taken before impact had a resolution of 0.5 meters. The spacecraft encountered the lunar surface in direct motion along a hyperbolic trajectory, with an incoming asymptotic direction at an angle of -5.57 degrees from the lunar equator. The orbit plane was inclined 26.84 degrees to the lunar equator. After 68.6 hours of flight, Ranger 7 impacted in an area between Mare Nubium and Oceanus Procellarum (subsequently named Mare Cognitum) at approximately 10.35 S latitude, 339.42 E longitude. Impact occurred at 13:25:48.82 GMT at a velocity of 2.62 km/s.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278, 296.

• OGO 1 Nation: USA. Payload: OGO A. Mass: 487 kg (1,073 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: OGO. Agency: NASA GSF. Perigee: 21,446 km (13,325 mi). Apogee: 127,394 km (79,158 mi). Inclination: 44.60 deg. Period: 3,809.50 min. COSPAR: 1964-054A. USAF Sat Cat: 879. Decay Date: 1980-08-10. Two experiment booms failed to properly deploy, with one of the booms obscuring a horizon scanner's view of earth. As a result, the spacecraft attitude could not be earth oriented and OGO 1 remained spin stabilized at 5 rpm. Nevertheless, data from all 20 experiments on board was received, although at a 'less than expected capacity' from some of them. Twelve of the experiemnts were particle studies and two were magnetic field studies. In addition, there was one experiment for each of the following types of studies: interplanetary dust, VLF, Lyman-alpha, Gegenschein, atmospheric mass, and radio astronomy. During September 1964, acceptable data were received over 70% of the orbital path. By June 1969, data acquisition was limited to 10% of the orbital path. Spacecraft operation was restricted to Spring and Fall due to power supply limitations. There were 11 such 3-month periods prior to the spacecraft being put into stand-by mode on 25 November 1969. By April 1970 the spacecraft perigee had increased to 46,000 km and the inclination had increased to 58.8 deg. All support was terminated November 1, 1971.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• Ranger 8 Nation: USA. Program: Ranger. Payload: RA-8. Mass: 366 kg (806 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Lunar. Spacecraft: Ranger 6-7-8-9. Agency: NASA/JPL. COSPAR: 1965-010A. USAF Sat Cat: 1086. Decay Date: 1965-02-20. Returned 7137 photos before lunar impact. The Atlas- Agena B booster injected the Agena and Ranger 8 into an Earth parking orbit at 185 km altitude 7 minutes after launch. Fourteen minutes later a 90 second burn of the Agena put the spacecraft into lunar transfer trajectory, and several minutes later the Ranger and Agena separated. The Ranger solar panels were deployed, attitude control activated, and spacecraft transmissions switched from the omni-directional antenna to the high-gain antenna by 21:30 GMT. On 18 February at a distance of 160,000 km from Earth the planned mid-course manoeuvre took place, involving reorientation and a 59 second rocket burn. During the 27 minute manoeuvre, spacecraft transmitter power dropped severely, so that lock was lost on all telemetry channels. This continued intermittently until the rocket burn, at which time power returned to normal. The telemetry dropout had no serious effects on the mission. A planned terminal sequence to point the cameras more in the direction of flight just before reaching the Moon was cancelled to allow the cameras to cover a greater area of the Moon's surface.

  Ranger 8 reached the Moon on 20 February 1965. The first image was taken at 9:34:32 GMT at an altitude of 2510 km. Transmission of 7,137 photographs of good quality occurred over the final 23 minutes of flight. The final image taken before impact has a resolution of 1.5 meters. The spacecraft encountered the lunar surface in a direct hyperbolic trajectory, with incoming asymptotic direction at an angle of -13.6 degrees from the lunar equator. The orbit plane was inclined 16.5 degrees to the lunar equator. After 64.9 hours of flight, impact occurred at 09:57:36.756 GMT on 20 February 1965 in Mare Tranquillitatis at approximately 2.67 degrees N, 24.65 degrees E. Impact velocity was slightly less than 2.68 km/s.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278, 296.

• Ranger 9 Nation: USA. Program: Ranger. Payload: RA-9. Mass: 366 kg (806 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Lunar. Spacecraft: Ranger 6-7-8-9. Agency: NASA/JPL. COSPAR: 1965-023A. USAF Sat Cat: 1294. Decay Date: 1965-03-24. Ranger 9, last of the series, returned 5814 images before lunar impact. The target was Alphonsus, a large crater about 12 degrees south of the lunar equator. The probe was timed to arrive when lighting conditions would be at their best. The Atlas- Agena B booster injected the Agena and Ranger 9 into an Earth parking orbit at 185 km altitude. A 90 second Agena 2nd burn put the spacecraft into lunar transfer trajectory. This was followed by the separation of the Agena and Ranger. The initial trajectory was highly accurate; uncorrected, the craft would have landed only 650 km north of Alphonsus. 70 minutes after launch the command was given to deploy solar panels, activate attitude control, and switch from the omni-directional antenna to the high-gain antenna. The accuracy of the initial trajectory enabled delay of the planned mid-course correction from 22 March to 23 March when the manoeuvre was initiated at 12:03 GMT. After orientation, a 31 second rocket burn at 12:30 GMT, and reorientation, the manoeuvre was completed at 13:30 GMT. Ranger 9 reached the Moon on 24 March 1965. At 13:31 GMT a terminal manoeuvre was executed to orient the spacecraft so the cameras were more in line with the flight direction to improve the resolution of the pictures. Twenty minutes before impact the one-minute camera system warm-up began. The first image was taken at 13:49:41 at an altitude of 2363 km. Transmission of 5,814 good contrast photographs was made during the final 19 minutes of flight. The final image taken before impact has a resolution of 0.3 meters. The spacecraft encountered the lunar surface with an incoming asymptotic direction at an angle of -5.6 degrees from the lunar equator. The orbit plane was inclined 15.6 degrees to the lunar equator. After 64.5 hours of flight, impact occurred at 14:08:19.994 GMT at approximately 12.83 S latitude, 357.63 E longitude in the crater Alphonsus. Impact velocity was 2.67 km/s. Millions of Americans followed the spacecraft's descent via real time television coverage provided to the three networks of many of the F-channel images (primarily camera B but also some camera A pictures) were provided for this flight.

  The pictures showed the rim and floor of the crater in fine detail: in those just prior to impact, objects less than a foot in size were discernible.

  A panel of scientists presented some preliminary conclusions from Ranger IX at a press conference that same afternoon. Crater rims and ridges inside the walls, they believed, were harder and smoother than the moon's dusty plains, and therefore were considered likely sites for future manned landings. Generally, the panel was dubious about landing on crater floors however. Apparently, the floors were solidified volcanic material incapable of supporting a spacecraft. Investigators believed several types of craters were seen that were of nonmeteoric origin. These findings reinforced arguments that the moon at one time had experienced volcanic activity. Later the images were shown to the press as a continuous-motion movie, leading astronaut Wally Schirra to yell ‘bail out you fool!’ just before the final frame.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 16, 278, 296.

• McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.

• Koelle, Heinz Hermann,, Handbook of Astronautical Engineering, McGraw-Hill,New York, 1961. The only such comprehensive handbook ever produced, and at the dawn of the space age.

• Walker, Chuck, with Powell, Joel, Atlas - The Ultimate Weapon, Apogee Books, Canada, 2005. ISBN: 1894959183. Another excellent Apogee Book, the only in-depth account of the design, development, and production of the rocket that was America's first ICBM, pioneered US spaceflight, and continued to take payloads into orbit into the next millenium. More at amazon.com...