The Javascript in this page is used to swap and preload rollover images. It also is used to give the option to advance to the next page, the option to close the browswe window,and to give a print page option.
  Print page  
Title image and top of clipboard
side of the clipboard Close the browser window middle of the clip for the clipboard Go to the next page side of the clipboard
bottom of the clip for the clipboard
side of the clipboard

Lunar Orbiter 1

"Lunar Orbiter-A"
NSSDC ID: 66-073A

Description:
The Lunar Orbiter 1 spacecraft was designed primarily to photo-
graph smooth areas of the lunar surface for selection and
verification of safe landing sites for the Surveyor and Apollo
missions. It was also equipped to collect selenodetic, radiation
intensity, and micrometeoroid impact data. The spacecraft was
placed in a cislunar trajectory and injected into an elliptical lunar
orbit for data acquisition. It was stabilized in a three-axis
orientation by using the sun and the star Canopus as primary
angular references. A three-axis inertial system provided
stabilization during maneuvers and when the sun and Canopus
were occulted by the Moon. Communications were maintained
by an S-band system which utilized a directional and an omni-
directional antenna. The spacecraft acquired photographic data
from August 18 to 29, 1966, and readout occurred through
September 14, 1966. Accurate data were acquired from
all other experiments throughout the mission. The spacecraft
was tracked until it impacted the lunar surface on command at
7 degrees N latitude, 161 degrees E longitude (selenographic
coordinates) on October 29, 1966. 

Launch Information:
Launch Date/Time: 1966-08-10
Launch Site/Country: Cape Canaveral, United States
On-orbit dry mass: 385.60 kg
Launch Vehicle: Atlas-Agena D
side of the clipboard
bottom of the clipboard bottom of the clipboard bottom of the clipboard