Ranger 3 was part of NASA's Ranger program, designed to obtain the first close-up images and scientific data about the Moon. The spacecraft was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, with the goal of impacting the lunar surface. It was equipped with various scientific instruments intended to analyze the Moon's soil and to capture detailed photographs of its surface. However, shortly after launch, a malfunction occurred which resulted in Ranger 3 missing its planned trajectory. The spacecraft veered off course, missing the Moon by about 22,000 miles (35,400 km). Although this was a setback, it did manage to gather some data during its flight.The ambitious objectives of the Ranger program were part of the larger context of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union, which had gained momentum in the late 1950s. The inability to successfully reach the Moon with Ranger 3 served as a learning experience for NASA as it continued to refine its technology and approach for future missions. Ranger 3's trajectory data allowed engineers to understand the importance of precise calculations and planning in space missions. Despite the failure to collect data on the lunar surface, responsibilities continued to push the boundaries of human exploration of outer space.