Surveyor 4
In this article, we will explore in depth the topic of Surveyor 4, a topic that has captured the attention of experts and hobbyists alike. From its origins to its current impact on society, Surveyor 4 has been the subject of debate and analysis in different fields of study. Throughout history, Surveyor 4 has played an important role in shaping the culture and identity of various groups of people. Through this article, we will seek to shed light on the different aspects of Surveyor 4, from its origins to its implications in the modern world.
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 Surveyor model on Earth | |
| Mission type | Lunar lander |
|---|---|
| Operator | NASA |
| COSPAR ID | 1967-068A |
| SATCAT no. | 02875 |
| Mission duration | 62 hrs. 9 min. 1 sec. (launch to last contact) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | Hughes Aircraft |
| Launch mass | 1,037.4 kg[1] |
| Dry mass | 283 kilograms (624 lb)[2] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | July 14, 1967, 11:53:29 UTC [1] |
| Rocket | Atlas LV-3C Centaur-D AC-11 |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral LC-36A |
| End of mission | |
| Last contact | July 17, 1967, 02:02:30 UTC (approx) |
| Lunar impact (failed landing) | |
| Impact date | July 17, 1967, 02:05:00 UTC |
| Impact site | 0°27′N 1°23′W / 0.45°N 1.39°W |
Surveyor 4 is the fourth lunar lander in the American uncrewed Surveyor program sent to explore the surface of the Moon. This spacecraft crashed after an otherwise flawless mission; telemetry contact was lost 2.5 minutes before touchdown. The planned landing target was Sinus Medii (Central Bay) at 0.4° north latitude and 1.33° west longitude.
Surveyor 6 successfully landed near the crash site of Surveyor 4 a few months later in November 1967.
Equipment
This spacecraft was the fourth in a series designed to achieve a soft landing on the Moon and to return photography of the lunar surface for determining characteristics of the lunar terrain for Apollo lunar landing missions. Equipment on board included a television camera and auxiliary mirrors, a soil mechanics surface sampler, strain gauges on the spacecraft landing legs, and numerous engineering sensors. Like Surveyor 3, Surveyor 4 was also equipped with a surface claw (with a magnet in the claw) to detect and measure ferrous elements in the lunar surface.[3]
After a flawless flight to the Moon, radio signals from the spacecraft ceased during the terminal-descent phase at 02:03 UT on July 17, 1967, approximately 2.5 minutes before touchdown. Contact with the spacecraft was never reestablished, and the mission was unsuccessful. The solid-fuel retrorocket may have exploded near the end of its scheduled burn.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Surveyor 4". NASA's Solar System Exploration website. December 27, 2017. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
- ^ a b "Surveyor 4". NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive. NASA.
- ^ "Surveyor 4". NASA. December 27, 2017. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
External links
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