# Ranger 8

> space probe

**Wikidata**: [Q862560](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q862560)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranger_8)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ranger-8

## Summary
Ranger 8 was a NASA lunar impactor space probe launched on February 17, 1965, as part of the Ranger program. It successfully impacted the Moon on February 20, transmitting high-resolution images of the lunar surface before its destruction.

## Key Facts
- Ranger 8 was a space probe launched by NASA on February 17, 1965
- It was part of the Ranger program and followed Ranger 7
- The probe was launched using an Atlas-Agena B rocket from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 12
- Ranger 8 was manufactured by Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- It had the COSPAR ID 1965-010A and NSSDCA ID 1965-010A
- The probe impacted the Moon on February 20, 1965, with its atmospheric entry occurring on that date
- It was assigned location LQ12 in the lunar surface mapping system
- Ranger 8 had 31 sitelinks across various language Wikipedias

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Ranger 8?
A: Ranger 8 was designed to achieve a lunar impact and transmit high-resolution photographs of the lunar surface before impact, providing detailed images to help select future Apollo landing sites.

### Q: When and how was Ranger 8 launched?
A: Ranger 8 was launched on February 17, 1965, from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 12 using an Atlas-Agena B launch vehicle, which was an expendable launch system developed by NASA.

### Q: What was Ranger 8's mission outcome?
A: Ranger 8 successfully completed its mission by impacting the Moon on February 20, 1965. Before impact, it transmitted high-quality images of the lunar surface, providing valuable data for future lunar exploration.

## Why It Matters
Ranger 8 represented a critical milestone in NASA's early lunar exploration program, helping to overcome a series of previous failures in the Ranger series. By successfully transmitting high-resolution images of the lunar surface before its planned impact, Ranger 8 provided scientists and engineers with unprecedented close-up views of the Moon's terrain, craters, and geological features. These images were crucial for identifying potential landing sites for the upcoming Apollo missions, ultimately contributing to the success of the human lunar landing program. The mission demonstrated the effectiveness of the Atlas-Agena B launch system and validated the probe design, building confidence for subsequent lunar missions.

## Notable For
- Ranger 8 was one of only three successful Ranger missions (along with Ranger 7 and 9) out of nine attempts in the program
- It transmitted high-resolution images of the lunar surface before impact, providing the most detailed lunar photographs up to that point
- The mission was specifically designed for lunar impact imaging, unlike earlier orbital Ranger missions
- Ranger 8 successfully achieved all its mission objectives, making it a critical technical success after several previous failures in the Ranger program
- It used the Atlas-Agena B launch system, which proved reliable for NASA's lunar exploration needs

## Body
### Mission Overview
Ranger 8 was an unmanned robotic spacecraft designed for lunar impact and imaging. It was part of NASA's Ranger program, which aimed to gather detailed images of the lunar surface. The probe successfully launched on February 17, 1965, and impacted the Moon on February 20, 1965, after approximately three days in transit.

### Technical Specifications
- Classified as a space probe, an unmanned robotic spacecraft that doesn't orbit Earth
- Manufactured by Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- Launched using an Atlas-Agena B expendable launch system
- Launched from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 12
- Had COSPAR ID 1965-010A and NSSDCA ID 1965-010A
- Assigned location LQ12 in lunar surface mapping system

### Mission Objectives
The primary objective of Ranger 8 was to achieve a hard landing on the Moon while transmitting high-resolution photographs of the lunar surface in the final minutes before impact. These images were intended to provide detailed information to help select future Apollo program landing sites.

### Mission Outcome
Ranger 8 successfully completed its mission by impacting the Moon on February 20, 1965. Before impact, it transmitted high-quality images of the lunar surface, providing unprecedented detail of the Moon's features. The mission achieved all its objectives and provided valuable data for lunar exploration planning.

### Historical Context
Ranger 8 was preceded by Ranger 7 and followed by Ranger 9 in the Ranger program sequence. It represented a significant improvement over earlier Ranger missions, with refined design and instrumentation focused specifically on impact imaging rather than orbital studies. The mission's success helped restore confidence in NASA's deep-space exploration capabilities after several previous failures in the Ranger program.

## Schema Markup
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  "description": "A NASA lunar impactor space probe launched on February 17, 1965, as part of the Ranger program.",
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## References

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