Able 5A (Pioneer P-30)
Able 5A was a U.S. lunar-orbiter attempt intended to enter a high elliptical lunar orbit and continue Able 4B’s environmental investigations with radiation, magnetic-field, micrometeoroid, plasma, solar, and related instruments.
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Identity
- Aliases
- Able 5APioneer P-30Pioneer P-30 / Able VA
- Name
- Able 5A (Pioneer P-30)
- Status
- failed
Details
- Astronauts
- -
- Description
- Able 5A was a U.S. lunar-orbiter attempt intended to enter a high elliptical lunar orbit and continue Able 4B’s environmental investigations with radiation, magnetic-field, micrometeoroid, plasma, solar, and related instruments.
- Destination
- Planned lunar orbit; a second-stage failure caused reentry into the atmosphere 17 minutes after launch
- End Date
- 1960-09-25
- Outcome
- The Atlas first stage performed normally, but the Able second stage ignited abnormally and shut down because of an oxidizer-system failure. The probe did not reach sufficient velocity and burned up in Earth’s atmosphere 17 minutes after launch on 25 September 1960.
- Programs
- Start Date
- 1960-09-25
- Vehicle Families
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Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 14, 2026 at 18:16:56 UTC
- Updated Time
- September 7, 2026 at 20:29:46 UTC
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