Lunar Orbiter Missions
Five Lunar Orbiter missions were launched in 1966 - 67 to map the lunar surface before the Apollo landings. All 5 missions were successful. The first 3 missions were dedicated to imaging 20 potential lunar landing sites. Lunar Orbiter 4 photographed the entire nearside and 95% of the farside, & Lunar Orbiter 5 completed the farside coverage.
Lunar Orbiter Missions Information
There were a total of five Lunar Orbiter missions were launched in 1966 through 1967. The purpose of of the Lunar Orbiter program was to map the lunar surface before the Apollo landings. All five missions were successful. 99% of the Moon was photographed with a resolution of 60 m or better. Lunar Orbiter 1 - Lunar Orbiter 3 were dedicated to imaging 20 potential lunar landing sites, selected based on Earth-based observations. These were flown at low inclination orbits.
There were a total of five Lunar Orbiter missions were launched in 1966 through 1967. The purpose of of the Lunar Orbiter program was to map the lunar surface before the Apollo landings. All five missions were successful. 99% of the Moon was photographed with a resolution of 60 m or better. Lunar Orbiter 1 - Lunar Orbiter 3 were dedicated to imaging 20 potential lunar landing sites, selected based on Earth-based observations. These were flown at low inclination orbits.