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Ranger 2 Lunar Prototype Spacecraft

Ranger 2 was NASA’s second Block 1 Ranger prototype, intended to reach a highly elliptical orbit beyond the Moon to test technologies and conduct space-environment experiments. An Agena guidance failure stranded it in low Earth orbit in 1961 before power was lost and it reentered.

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Identity

Aliases
Ranger 2Ranger IIRanger 2 lunar prototypeRanger 2 spacecraft
Family Name
Ranger 2
Full Name
Ranger 2 Lunar Prototype Spacecraft
Roles
interplanetary_probetechnology_demonstratorresearch
Status
retired
Type
spacecraft

Details

Description
Ranger 2 was NASA’s second Block 1 Ranger prototype, intended to reach a highly elliptical orbit beyond the Moon to test technologies and conduct space-environment experiments. An Agena guidance failure stranded it in low Earth orbit in 1961 before power was lost and it reentered.
First Flight Year
1,961
Last Flight Year
1,961
Operator
Spacecraft Specs
Launch Mass
…

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Creation Time
August 13, 2026 at 12:12:52 UTC
Updated Time
August 14, 2026 at 23:08:36 UTC