History
Ranger 3 is the shuttle like space probe used by Buck Rogers for his five month exploration of the solar system. Ranger 3 was the designation of the long range space probe that Buck Rogers was selected to fly on a six month exploration of the Solar System in 1987.
During it's mission to locate missing Earth colonies, the 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.
Trivia
In the narration intro Buck's spacecraft is called "Ranger 3". But the Ranger series spacecraft were unmanned lunar landers, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration never repeats project names to avoid confusion. However, it is entirely possible that the lunar spacecraft were operated under a different designation in the Buck Rogers Universe.
Also in 1987 there were no Shuttle missions due to space shuttle Challenger exploding and being destroyed on January 28, 1986. The next time there was a shuttle mission was on September 29, 1988 with space shuttle Discovery.
Gallery
Ranger 3
Ranger 3
Ranger 3, OV Guide