| Ranger 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| [[Image:|275px|Ranger 3]] | |||
| Race: | {{{race}}} | ||
| Type: | Deep Space Probe | ||
| FTL: | |||
| Propulsion: | |||
| Crew: | |||
| Capacity: | |||
| CO: | {{{co}}} | ||
| XO: | {{{xo}}} | ||
| Role: | Space exploration | ||
| Weapons: | {{{weapons}}} | ||
| Armaments: | {{{arm}}} | ||
| Defenses: | {{{def}}} | ||
| Aircraft: | {{{aircraft}}} | ||
| Aviation facilities: | {{{facilities}}} | ||
| Fate: | {{{status}}} | ||
| Emblem: | [[Image:{{{emblem}}}|175px|Ship's Emblem]] | ||
| Other Images: | Gallery | ||
| Length: | |||
| Width: | |||
| Height: | |||
| Weight: | {{{weight}}} | ||
| Wingspan: | {{{wingspan}}} | ||
| Other: | {{{otherdi}}} | ||
| Cost: | {{{construction}}} | ||
| Construction Time: | {{{construction}}} | ||
| Hull Size: | {{{hull size}}} | ||
| Hull: | |||
| FTL Cooldown: | {{{ftl cooldown}}} turns | ||
| Speed: | {{{speed}}} m/s | ||
| Turn Rate: | {{{turn rate}}}°/turn | ||
| Armor Total: | {{{armor total}}} | ||
| Armor Left: | {{{armor left}}} | ||
| Armor Right: | {{{armor right}}} | ||
| Armor Front: | {{{armor front}}} | ||
| Armor Rear: | {{{armor rear}}} | ||
| Armor Top: | {{{armor top}}} | ||
| Armor Bottom: | {{{armor bottom}}} | ||
| DRADIS Range: | {{{dradis range}}} m | ||
| Processing Power: | {{{processing power}}} | ||
| Munition Slots: | {{{munitions}}} | ||
| Munition Cooldown Period: | {{{munition cooldown}}} turns | ||
| Squadron Slots: | {{{squadrons}}} | ||
| Special Abilities: | {{{special abilities}}} | ||
| Additional Information | |||
| [[|Information on Ranger 3 filming model]] | |||
| Ranger 3 in the separate continuity | |||
| Ranger 3 in the primary continuity | |||
Ranger 3 is the space shuttle probe used by Captain William "Buck" Rogers for his six month exploration of the Solar System in 1987.
An unforeseen malfunction aboard results in Ranger 3 going off-course, while freezing its life-support systems and preserving Rogers. Ranger 3's trajectory takes him outside of the Solar System on a trip that returns him to Earth in the year 2491—over 500 years (BR25: "Awakening", "The Guardians", "Testimony of a Traitor").
A Draconian Hatchet fighter intercepts and recovers Ranger 3 on its return trajectory, and by the order of Princess Ardala reanimate Rogers, hoping to use him in their plans to conquer Earth. After debriefing him, the Draconians send him towards Earth unawares of his interception, with the Earth Defense Directorate believing him to be a possible enemy agent (BR25: "Awakening").
Notes
- During its mission to locate missing Earth colonies, Searcher used a shuttle design which appeared to be based on Ranger 3. Compared to the original, the new craft was missing its tail-fin, and had it's wings reconfigured, with the ends swept upwards. In addition, the interior was configured to hold passengers and/or cargo.
- The Ranger series spacecraft were unmanned lunar landers, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration never repeats project names to avoid confusion.
- Further, no shuttle missions were launched in 1978 due to the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster of January 28, 1986. Space shuttle missions resumed on September 29, 1988 with space shuttle Discovery.