UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

Atlas Agena B | Ranger 3

SUCCESS Atlas Agena B →
Jan 26, 1962 at 20:30 UTC
Heliocentric N/A Lunar Exploration Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA 72% success
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Live Orbit
Fullscreen
Mission Control3D trajectory · Live telemetry · AI narrator · Booster tracking
PADLaunch Complex 12
SITECape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA →
ORBITHeliocentric N/A
TYPELunar Exploration

Ranger 3 was a spacecraft designed to transmit pictures of the lunar surface during the last 10 minutes prior to impacting the Moon. A malfunction in the booster guidance system resulted in excessive spacecraft speed. Ranger 3 missed the Moon by 36,800 km and is now in a heliocentric orbit.

MISSION
Ranger 3
MISSION TYPE
Lunar Exploration
TARGET ORBIT
Heliocentric N/A
COUNTRY
USA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 427b571c-e04b-4ad1-8ccd-3235674f1cc2
Reported date: Jan 26, 1962 at 20:30 UTC
Last synced: 13 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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MANUFACTURER
United States Air Force
VARIANT
LV-3 Agena B
FLIGHTS
29
SUCCESSES
21
SUCCESS RATE
72.4%

The Atlas LV-3A was a largely unsuccessful configuration until it was given an Agena B upper stage. It was responsible for the launch of Mariner II to Venus and had one of the first engines that could be restarted in orbit.

When is the Atlas Agena B | Ranger 3 launch?
The Atlas Agena B | Ranger 3 is scheduled for Friday, January 26, 1962 at 8:30 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Ranger 3?
The Atlas Agena B | Ranger 3 mission uses the Atlas Agena B rocket, manufactured by United States Air Force. The Atlas Agena B has flown 29 times with a 72.4% success rate.
Where is the Atlas Agena B | Ranger 3 launching from?
The launch takes place from Launch Complex 12 at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.
What orbit is Ranger 3 going to?
The Ranger 3 mission is targeting Heliocentric N/A.
Who is launching Ranger 3?
The Atlas Agena B | Ranger 3 is operated by United States Air Force.
Can I watch the Atlas Agena B | Ranger 3 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch date set: Jan 26, 1962 at 20:30 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by United States Air Force
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 13 minutes ago
Launch Library 213 minutes ago
Launch ID: 427b571c-e04b-4ad1-8ccd-3235674f1cc2
Open-Meteo Weather4 hours ago
Pad weather at 28.48, -80.54

Mission Profile

Ranger 3 was a Atlas Agena B LV-3 Agena B mission operated by United States Air Force that lifted off from Launch Complex 12, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA on January 26, 1962. The flight carried its payload on a lunar exploration mission to Heliocentric N/A. The launch was a success.