Surveyor: Program Results - Paperback

by National Aeronautics and Administration (Author)

This, the final report under Surveyor Program auspices by the Surveyor Scientific Team, presents the key findings resulting from five Surveyor landings on the Moon. The vast amount of new lunar data generated by these missions will doubtless be studied for a long time to come, and additional individual papers can be expected in the future. The Surveyor program was planned to achieve soft landings on the Moon by automated spacecraft capable of transmitting scientific and engineering measurements from the lunar surface. The program had three major objectives: 1) to develop and validate the technology for landing softly on the Moon, 2) to provide data on the compatibility of the Apollo manned lunar-landing spacecraft design with conditions to be encountered on the lunar surface, and 3) to add to our scientific knowledge of the Moon. All of these objectives have been achieved to a degree far beyond original expectations. Five Surveyors have landed and operated successfully on the lunar surface. The scientific and technological contributions of Surveyor to the future exploration of the Moon and planets have provided a major step forward in man's drive to explore the universe. This final report stands as a tribute to the hundreds of engineer, scientists, technicians, and managers - in industry, Government, and the scientific community - whose devotion and professional excellence made Surveyor's remarkable achievement possible.