description Lunar Orbiter 2 Overview
Lunar Orbiter 2 was an uncrewed NASA spacecraft launched in 1966 as part of a program to photograph the Moon before the Apollo landings. It returned hundreds of photographs, with emphasis on potential landing areas near the lunar equator, while also gathering tracking data relevant to the Moon's gravitational field. The mission produced a widely reproduced oblique image of Copernicus crater that revealed the relief of its walls and central peaks.
help Lunar Orbiter 2 FAQ
What was the primary mission of Lunar Orbiter 2?
Launched by NASA in 1966, Lunar Orbiter 2 was primarily designed to photograph potential Apollo landing sites on the surface of the moon. It successfully mapped large areas of the lunar surface to ensure safe touchdowns for future human astronauts.
What famous photograph was taken by Lunar Orbiter 2?
The spacecraft is famous for capturing a stunning oblique view of the Copernicus crater. This iconic photograph was later dubbed the 'Picture of the Century' by the press for its dramatic, high-resolution detail of the lunar landscape.
Did Lunar Orbiter 2 land on the moon?
No, Lunar Orbiter 2 was strictly an orbital mapping mission designed to take photographs from space and transmit them back to Earth. The spacecraft was eventually intentionally crashed into the lunar surface in 1967 after its mission was completed.
How did Lunar Orbiter 2 send its photographs back to Earth in 1966?
The spacecraft used a complex system to literally develop its film onboard in space, scan it with a flying spot scanner, and then transmit the analog data back to Earth. This technology was a massive breakthrough for remote sensing.
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