Ranger program
Ranger Block III probe
The Ranger program was a pioneering NASA space probe mission launched by NASA that was flown by the Earth's United States of America during the early 1960s.
A record of the launch and flight plans for Ranger 3 through 5 were available in the Enterprise library computer, as well as pictures and plan views of three distinct versions of this design. This data was flashed on a viewscreen when the Talosians scanned the Enterprise computer in 2254. (TOS: "The Cage")
Ranger spacecraft
Ranger Block I
Block I probe diagram
The Ranger Block I was used in the first series of Ranger launches intended to test the Atlas-Agena rocket in preparation for future missions to reach the Moon.
Components for the Block I included an ion chamber, omnidirectional antenna, Lyman-alpha telescope, Earth sensor, antenna gear box, solar panels, high-gain antenna, electrostatic analyzer, sun sensor, and a magnetometer. (TOS: "The Cage")
Ranger Block II
Block II probe photo
The Ranger Block II was used in the second series of launches in the Ranger program designed for achieving Lunar orbit. Ranger 5 was one such probe in this series.
Components for the Block II included a lunar capsule, omnidirectional antenna, RADAR altimeter, solar panels, gamma-ray spectrometer, mid-course motor, retrorocket, TV camera, and a high-gain antenna. (TOS: "The Cage")
Ranger Block III
Ranger Block III probe
The Ranger Block III was used in the third series of launches in the Ranger program designed for achieving Lunar orbit. Ranger 7 was one such probe in this series. (TOS: "The Cage")
Appendices
Apocrypha
Some historical craft named Ranger have been the namesakes for starfaring vessels and Federation starships in numerous non-canon works and games.
A Ranger-class starship was part of the FASA RPG, appearing in such sources as the Federation Ship Recognition Manual. A different, earlier, Ranger-class based on an unused Matt Jefferies starship design was part of the Last Unicorn Games ship list, appearing in the Starfleet Operations Manual, among others. Another Ranger-class starship is the first ship that the player receives when beginning the Star Trek Online "Agents of Yesterday" expansion.
A Miranda-class USS Ranger appears in Star Trek: Shattered Universe and Star Trek: New Worlds promotional material.