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Collection:
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NASA Solarsystem Collection
Collection
NASA Solarsystem Collection
Collection
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title:
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Ranger 4 Preparations
title
Ranger 4 Preparations
title
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description:
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Technicians prepare the Ranger 4 spacecraft for launch. An impact absorbing sphere made of balsa wood sits atop the spacecraft, painted with a saw-tooth pattern to maintain thermal balance during its mission to the Moon. The sphere contained a lunar seismometer, which was to rough land just south of the equator on the rim of the Ocean of Storms and measure "lunarquakes."
The master clock in Ranger 4's computer failed during flight and the spacecraft did not respond to commands. It crashed into the far side of the Moon on April 26, 1962. Despite the failure to return information, the use of balsa wood was an important precursor in the design of other rough landings on extraterrestrial bodies, particularly Mars. Aerobraking, gliding, impact absorption, parachuting, and retro rockets have all been considered.
*Image Credit*: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
description
Technicians prepare the Ranger 4 spacecraft for launch. An impact absorbing sphere made of balsa wood sits atop the spacecraft, painted with a saw-tooth pattern to maintain thermal balance during its mission to the Moon. The sphere contained a lunar seismometer, which was to rough land just south of the equator on the rim of the Ocean of Storms and measure "lunarquakes."
The master clock in Ranger 4's computer failed during flight and the spacecraft did not respond to commands. It crashed into the far side of the Moon on April 26, 1962. Despite the failure to return information, the use of balsa wood was an important precursor in the design of other rough landings on extraterrestrial bodies, particularly Mars. Aerobraking, gliding, impact absorption, parachuting, and retro rockets have all been considered.
*Image Credit*: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
description
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date:
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03.06.1962
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keywords:
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Solar System Exploration
keywords
Solar System Exploration
keywords
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keywords:
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SSE
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keywords:
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Space
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keywords:
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NASA
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keywords:
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National Aeronautics and Space Administration
keywords
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
keywords
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keywords:
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JPL
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keywords:
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Jet Propulsion Laboratory
keywords
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
keywords
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keywords:
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Planets
keywords
Planets
keywords
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facet_what:
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Mars
facet_what
Mars
facet_what
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facet_what:
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Moon
facet_what
Moon
facet_what
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facet_what:
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Ranger
facet_what
Ranger
facet_what
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facet_what:
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Ranger 4
facet_what
Ranger 4
facet_what
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facet_where:
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Jet Propulsion Laboratory
facet_where
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
facet_where
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facet_where:
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Mars
facet_where
Mars
facet_where
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facet_where:
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Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
facet_where
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
facet_where
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facet_when:
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April 26, 1962
facet_when
April 26, 1962
facet_when
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facet_when:
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03-06-1962
facet_when
03-06-1962
facet_when
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facet_when_year:
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1962
facet_when_year
1962
facet_when_year
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UID:
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SPD-SLRSY-1565
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original url:
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original_url
original url
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