Able 4B (Pioneer P-3) lunar-orbiter spacecraft family
Able 4B (Pioneer P-3) was a 1959 U.S. lunar-orbiter technology probe intended to study the Earth-Moon environment, radiation, magnetic fields, micrometeoroids, and lunar surface properties. Its Atlas Able launch failed when the nose shroud broke away, destroying the spacecraft shortly after liftoff.
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Identity
- Aliases
- Able 4BPioneer P-3P-3Able IVB
- Family Name
- Able 4B (Pioneer P-3)
- Full Name
- Able 4B (Pioneer P-3) lunar-orbiter spacecraft family
- Roles
- orbiterinterplanetary_probetechnology_demonstrator
- Status
- retired
- Type
- spacecraft
Details
- Description
- Able 4B (Pioneer P-3) was a 1959 U.S. lunar-orbiter technology probe intended to study the Earth-Moon environment, radiation, magnetic fields, micrometeoroids, and lunar surface properties. Its Atlas Able launch failed when the nose shroud broke away, destroying the spacecraft shortly after liftoff.
- First Flight Year
- 1,959
- Last Flight Year
- 1,959
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 13, 2026 at 07:32:33 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 13, 2026 at 07:32:33 UTC