# Lunar Orbiter 3

> American lunar orbiter

**Wikidata**: [Q1066370](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1066370)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_Orbiter_3)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lunar-orbiter-3

## Summary
Lunar Orbiter 3 was an American lunar orbiter, operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It was launched on February 5, 1967, as part of the Lunar Orbiter program. The spacecraft was designed to orbit the Moon and ultimately underwent atmospheric entry on October 9, 1967.

## Key Facts
*   Lunar Orbiter 3 is an American lunar orbiter.
*   It was part of the Lunar Orbiter program.
*   The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) operated Lunar Orbiter 3.
*   It was launched on February 5, 1967, from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 13.
*   The launch vehicle used was an Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D.
*   Lunar Orbiter 3 underwent atmospheric entry on October 9, 1967.
*   Its COSPAR ID and NSSDCA ID are both 1967-008A.
*   Photographs related to Lunar Orbiter 3 are archived at the Lunar and Planetary Institute.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Lunar Orbiter 3?
A: Lunar Orbiter 3 was an American spacecraft designed to orbit the Moon. It was one of the missions within the broader Lunar Orbiter program, operated by NASA.

### Q: When was Lunar Orbiter 3 launched?
A: Lunar Orbiter 3 was launched on February 5, 1967. Its launch originated from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 13.

### Q: Who operated Lunar Orbiter 3?
A: Lunar Orbiter 3 was operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It was part of their efforts in lunar exploration.

### Q: What type of launch vehicle was used for Lunar Orbiter 3?
A: Lunar Orbiter 3 was launched using an Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D. This is a type of American expendable launch system.

### Q: When did Lunar Orbiter 3 cease operations?
A: Lunar Orbiter 3 ceased operations and underwent atmospheric entry on October 9, 1967.

## Why It Matters
Lunar Orbiter 3 was a crucial component of the American Lunar Orbiter program, operated by NASA. As a lunar orbiter, its mission contributed to the broader goal of lunar exploration and understanding the Moon's surface. The data gathered by such orbiters was vital for future crewed missions, including the Apollo program, by providing detailed imagery and reconnaissance of potential landing sites. Its successful launch and operation, utilizing the Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D launch vehicle, demonstrated American capabilities in space technology and deep-space missions during a pivotal era of the space race. The information it collected, now partly archived at institutions like the Lunar and Planetary Institute, remains a historical record of early lunar reconnaissance.

## Notable For
*   Being an American lunar orbiter launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
*   Its specific launch date of February 5, 1967, from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 13.
*   Utilizing the Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D as its launch vehicle.
*   Its role as part of the Lunar Orbiter program.
*   Its atmospheric entry on October 9, 1967.

## Body

### Overview
Lunar Orbiter 3 was an American lunar orbiter, classified as a spacecraft designed to orbit the Moon. It was operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and was a component of the larger Lunar Orbiter program.

### Identification
*   **Aliases:** Lunar Orbiter III
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1967-008A
*   **NSSDC ID:** 1967-008A
*   **SCN:** 02666
*   **Freebase ID:** /m/03ls2m
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "02666"]
*   **Country of Origin:** United States

### Mission Details
*   **Launch Date:** February 5, 1967
*   **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 13
*   **Launch Vehicle:** Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D (an American expendable launch system)
*   **Operator:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
*   **End of Mission (Atmospheric Entry):** October 9, 1967
*   **Significant Events:**
    *   Rocket launch: February 5, 1967, from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 13
    *   Atmospheric entry: October 9, 1967

### Archival Information
*   **Archives:** Photographs related to Lunar Orbiter 3 are archived at the Lunar and Planetary Institute.

### Related Entities
*   **Part of:** Lunar Orbiter program
*   **Instance of:** Lunar orbiter (a class of spacecraft)
*   **Launch Vehicle Type:** Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D (a class of expendable launch system)

### Additional Information
*   **Location:** LQ09
*   **Wikipedia Title:** Lunar Orbiter 3
*   **Commons Category:** Lunar Orbiter program
*   **Sitelink Count:** 29

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013