Ranger 2

Ranger 2
Ranger 2
Mission typeTechnology
OperatorNASA
Harvard designation1961 Alpha Theta 1
COSPAR ID1961-032A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.206
Mission duration2 days
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerJet Propulsion Laboratory
Launch mass304 kilograms (670 lb)
Power150 W
Start of mission
Launch date18 November 1961, 08:09:00 (1961-11-18UTC08:09Z) UTC
RocketAtlas LV-3 Agena-B
Launch siteCape Canaveral LC-12
End of mission
Decay date20 November 1961 (1961-11-21)
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
(High Earth planned)
Semi-major axis6,574.2 kilometres (4,085.0 mi)
Perigee altitude150 kilometres (93 mi)
Apogee altitude242 kilometres (150 mi)
Inclination33.3 degrees
Period~89 minutes

Ranger 2 was a flight test of the Ranger spacecraft system of the NASA Ranger program designed for future lunar and interplanetary missions. Ranger 2 was designed to test various systems for future exploration and to conduct scientific observations of cosmic rays, magnetic fields, radiation, dust particles, and a possible hydrogen gas "tail" trailing the Earth.[1]