# Lunar Orbiter 4

> space probe

**Wikidata**: [Q1066381](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1066381)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_Orbiter_4)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lunar-orbiter-4

## Summary
Lunar Orbiter 4 was a space probe launched on May 4, 1967, as part of NASA's Lunar Orbiter program. It captured high-resolution photographs of the Moon's surface, aiding in the selection of landing sites for the Apollo missions. The probe operated until its orbit decayed on October 6, 1967.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: May 4, 1967
- **Launch Vehicle**: Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D
- **Launch Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 13
- **Mission Duration**: Until October 6, 1967 (orbit decay)
- **Part of**: Lunar Orbiter program
- **COSPAR ID**: 1967-041A
- **NSSDCA ID**: 1967-041A
- **Archives**: Photographs available at the Lunar and Planetary Institute
- **Instance of**: Space probe

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Lunar Orbiter 4?
A: Lunar Orbiter 4 was designed to photograph the Moon's surface in high resolution to support the Apollo landing site selection process.

### Q: How was Lunar Orbiter 4 launched?
A: It was launched on May 4, 1967, using an Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 13.

### Q: When did Lunar Orbiter 4's mission end?
A: The probe's mission concluded on October 6, 1967, when its orbit decayed and it re-entered Earth's atmosphere.

### Q: Where are Lunar Orbiter 4's photographs stored?
A: The photographs are archived at the Lunar and Planetary Institute.

### Q: What was unique about Lunar Orbiter 4's mission?
A: It provided critical high-resolution imagery of the Moon's surface, essential for planning the Apollo lunar landings.

## Why It Matters
Lunar Orbiter 4 was part of NASA's Lunar Orbiter program, which aimed to map the Moon's surface in detail to support the Apollo missions. The program's success in capturing high-resolution images of potential landing sites was crucial for the safe and precise execution of the Apollo landings. Lunar Orbiter 4's photographs helped scientists and engineers identify safe and scientifically valuable landing zones, ensuring the success of the Apollo program. The data collected by these orbiters also contributed to our understanding of the Moon's geology and surface features. The program's achievements laid the groundwork for future lunar exploration and demonstrated the importance of robotic reconnaissance in space missions.

## Notable For
- **High-Resolution Imaging**: Provided detailed photographs of the Moon's surface, aiding Apollo landing site selection.
- **Support for Apollo Missions**: Contributed critical data to NASA's efforts to land astronauts on the Moon.
- **Orbit Decay**: The probe's mission ended when its orbit decayed on October 6, 1967.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Lunar Orbiter 4 was launched on May 4, 1967, as part of NASA's Lunar Orbiter program. The primary objective was to capture high-resolution photographs of the Moon's surface to support the Apollo missions. The probe was equipped with a dual-lens camera system that provided detailed images of potential landing sites.

### Launch and Operation
The spacecraft was launched using an Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 13. After reaching lunar orbit, Lunar Orbiter 4 began transmitting images back to Earth. The mission was successful, and the probe continued to operate until its orbit decayed on October 6, 1967.

### Scientific Contributions
Lunar Orbiter 4's photographs were instrumental in selecting landing sites for the Apollo missions. The high-resolution imagery provided by the probe helped scientists and engineers identify safe and scientifically valuable areas for lunar landings. The data collected by the Lunar Orbiter program contributed to our understanding of the Moon's geology and surface features.

### Archival Status
The photographs captured by Lunar Orbiter 4 are archived at the Lunar and Planetary Institute. These images remain valuable resources for lunar research and exploration. The mission's success demonstrated the importance of robotic reconnaissance in space missions and laid the groundwork for future lunar exploration efforts.

## References

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