Smithsonian Institution
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Asset Name:
media:NASM-A19731142000_CU01

File Usage:

Not determined
There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page at https://www.si.edu/Termsofuse


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Object details:

Object Name: Omnidirectional Antenna, Ranger Block III
Smithsonian Record ID: edanmdm:nasm_A19731142000

	Object Name
	Omnidirectional Antenna, Ranger Block III

	Metadata Usage
	Not determined

	Guid
	http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9ac920154-d294-490e-9d47-be2f0680bf4b

	Data Source
	National Air and Space Museum

	Manufacturer
	Hughes Aircraft Corp.

	Materials
	Aluminum, Paint, Plastic, Paper, Synthetic Fabric, Brass, Gold Plating, Mineral (Glass) Fabric, Phenolic Resin

	Dimensions
	Storage (Rehoused on aluminum pallet with three additional objects): 153.7 × 179.1 × 104.1cm, 222.3kg (60 1/2 × 70 1/2 × 41 in., 490lb.)

	Summary
	Omnidirectional antennas were a staple of NASA’s early planetary exploration craft. Early Ranger (Blocks I through III), Mariner, and lunar-orbiting spacecraft all featured omnidirectional antenna at their apexes. For Ranger, most of the antenna remained covered, with only the very tip protruding from a conical encasing. Mariner featured longer antennas which for some missions, were encased behind grating or in a conic cover. This antenna was used on a lunar orbiter, which photographed the moon in the late 1960s to select landing sites for a human landing mission. Made mostly from aluminum, the antenna protruded directly from the side of the spacecraft. The lunar orbiters featured two antennae: high-gain with singular directional patterns, and low-gain which was omnidirectional.

	Summary
	Hughes Aircraft, the manufacturer of this antenna, donated it to the Museum in 1973.

	Country of Origin
	United States of America

	Credit Line
	Gift of Huges Aircraft Company

	Inventory Number
	A19731142000

	Type
	EQUIPMENT-Aerials & Antenna

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