Ranger 8 - Sixty Years On

Sixty years ago, on 17 February 1965, an Atlas LV-3 Agena B rocket sent Ranger 8 into space from Cape Kennedy Air Force Station's Launch Complex 12.

NASA's Ranger program, a mission involving 9 probes, aimed at capturing high-resolution lunar images before impact.

The goal was to take detailed images of the lunar surface to aid in planning the Apollo missions.

Ranger 8 transmitted 7,137 images to Earth before a controlled crash in the Sea of Tranquility lunar region on February 20, 1965.

The selection of landing sites for subsequent Apollo missions, including Apollo 11, depended on the provided images.

Birth of the Tyre Inventor

Scottish veterinarian and inventor John Boyd Dunlop, who developed the first practical pneumatic tyre, was born 185 years ago today (1840–1921).

In 1887, he created the tyre to improve his son's tricycle ride, reducing discomfort from rough roads. His invention revolutionised transportation, particularly for bicycles and later automobiles.

Despite Dunlop's 1888 pneumatic tyre patent, Robert William Thomson had patented a similar concept in 1845.

However, Dunlop's version gained commercial success, leading to the foundation of the Dunlop Rubber Company, which became a major player in the tyre industry.

Gardeners owe John a debt of gratitude; his wheelbarrow tyre innovation can be a lifesaver!