Able 4B (Pioneer P-3)
Able 4B was an early U.S. lunar-orbiter attempt designed to place an instrumented probe around the Moon. Its planned investigations covered the Earth–Moon environment, lunar surface imaging, the Moon’s mass and polar topography, micrometeoroids, radiation, magnetic fields, and low-frequency electromagnetic waves, while also testing long-distance spacecraft maneuvering.
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Identity
- Aliases
- Able 4BPioneer P-3Pioneer P-3 / Able IVB
- Name
- Able 4B (Pioneer P-3)
- Status
- failed
Details
- Astronauts
- -
- Description
- Able 4B was an early U.S. lunar-orbiter attempt designed to place an instrumented probe around the Moon. Its planned investigations covered the Earth–Moon environment, lunar surface imaging, the Moon’s mass and polar topography, micrometeoroids, radiation, magnetic fields, and low-frequency electromagnetic waves, while also testing long-distance spacecraft maneuvering.
- Destination
- Planned lunar orbit around the Moon; the spacecraft was destroyed during ascent before reaching the Moon
- End Date
- 1959-11-26
- Outcome
- Failed during ascent on 26 November 1959 when the nose fairing began separating about 45 seconds after liftoff; aerodynamic forces broke up the upper stages and spacecraft before lunar-orbit operations could begin.
- Programs
- Start Date
- 1959-11-26
- Vehicle Families
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 14, 2026 at 18:14:47 UTC
- Updated Time
- September 7, 2026 at 20:29:08 UTC
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- Affiliations
- Space Stations
- -
- Vehicles