NASM--Apollo to the Moon--The Ranger Spacecraft

RANGER IN THE SPACE RACE
Project Ranger quickly was initiated in 1959 to demonstrate that America could achieve feats in space comparable to those of the Soviets. Ranger spacecraft were to carry scientific instruments and television cameras to gather information about the Moon before crashing into it.
The decision to land a man on the Moon changed the goals and schedule of the Ranger effort. The science program now had a dual purpose: to scout for landing sites for Apollo astronauts and to gather new information about the Moon.

RANGER: A FIRST LOOK AT THE MOON
The Ranger spacecraft gave Americans their first look at the Moon from close range. Nine Rangers were launched from 1961 through 1965. The first six failed. The spacecraft was redesigned and Rangers 7, 8, and 9 successfully transmitted more than 17,000 television pictures of the lunar surface. These images revealed details unseen by telescopes on Earth. During the last mission, the pictures were broadcast live on network television, enabling millions of viewers to witness a descent to the Moon.
This Ranger is a real spacecraft identical to Rangers 7, 8, and 9.
Transferred from NASA

Ranger Specifications