Able 2 (Pioneer 1) lunar deep-space-probe spacecraft family
The Able 2 (later Pioneer 1) family represents the first spacecraft launched by NASA, a lunar probe launched on 11 October 1958. A Thor second-stage cutoff left the probe short of lunar velocity; it returned near-Earth radiation and magnetic-field data, verified the Van Allen Belts, and reentered on 13 October.
Follow this vehicle family
Alerts for directly linked future launches and major activity.
Identity
- Aliases
- Able 2Pioneer 1Pioneer 1 Able 2
- Family Name
- Able 2 (Pioneer 1)
- Full Name
- Able 2 (Pioneer 1) lunar deep-space-probe spacecraft family
- Roles
- interplanetary_probetechnology_demonstrator
- Status
- retired
- Type
- spacecraft
Details
- Description
- The Able 2 (later Pioneer 1) family represents the first spacecraft launched by NASA, a lunar probe launched on 11 October 1958. A Thor second-stage cutoff left the probe short of lunar velocity; it returned near-Earth radiation and magnetic-field data, verified the Van Allen Belts, and reentered on 13 October.
- First Flight Year
- 1,958
- Last Flight Year
- 1,958
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 6, 2026 at 19:40:32 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 6, 2026 at 19:40:32 UTC