March 21, 2022
On this date in 1965, Ranger 9, an unmanned lunar probe, was intentionally crashed into the moon, broadcasting its descent back to earth. The series of Ranger missions was designed to study craters and potential lunar landing sites. Ranger 9 crashed in the region of Alphonsus Crater in the lunar highlands and sent back 5,814 images which were shown as a continuous-motion movie.
To read more about the Ranger 9 mission, visit: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/ranger-9/in-depth/
A series of photographs taken by the Ranger 9 spacecraft as it descended toward the moon. Image credit: NASA/JPL/Bill Dunford
