Ranger 6

Camaras failed. Hit Moon 2 Feb 1964 at 09h 24m 33s
Impact: 9,4° N - 21,5° E

Specifications:

Prime contractor
Operator	NASA
Mass at launch	364,69 kg
Dry Mass	kg
Basic shape	Hexagonal cylinder + 2 panels + antenna
Dimension (m)	1,52 dia - 2,51 long

First Block-III spacecraft with a photographic mission all the way to lunar impact using 6 TV cameras (4 telephoto and 2 wide angle) in a package weighing 172 kg, to be switched on 19 min. before impact and to start taking pictures 14 min. before impact. When the time came to switch on the cameras nothing happened and the spacecraft ploughed into the Sea of Tranquillity at 9°24' N, 21°30' E at 9500 km/hr, after a flight of 65 hours 36 min.
The most likely cause of failure was due to an arc-over in the TV power system when it inadvertently turned on for 67 seconds about 2 minutes after launch.

Ref.: #1, #3(SD1964), #6(PMS031), #6r, #7, #8, #11(1998), #28(1966), #81, 102(SL9) - update: 23.11.10