In 1965, NASA deliberately crashed Ranger 9 into the Moon, creating live TV from crater Alphonsus with more than 5,800 images

On March 24, 1965, Ranger 9 made a historic descent, sending back thousands of photos that effectively debunked Soviet assertions regarding lunar volcanic activity. This groundbreaking mission yielded highly detailed images of the Alphonsus crater, which played a crucial role in the selection of future lunar landing sites and Apollo missions. Moreover, Ranger 9's transmission underscored NASA's dedication to transparency in its scientific endeavors.