Image: NASA.
On this date in 1965, NASA launched Ranger 8, one in a series of unmanned lunar probes. Ranger probes were intended to take close-up photos of the lunar surface before intentionally crashing into the Moon. Ranger 8 successfully returned 7,137 photos before lunar impact. For a highly detailed description of the flight, its goals and accomplishments, visit drewexmachina.com’s page here.