Able 3 (Pioneer 2)
Able 3, later named Pioneer 2, was the physical lunar-probe spacecraft launched on 8 November 1958 as the second official NASA deep-space launch. A premature Thor-Able second-stage shutdown and failed third-stage ignition prevented lunar flight; the probe reached 951 miles altitude, returned scientific data, and burned up in Earth atmosphere minutes after launch.
Identity
- Aliases
- Able 3 spacecraftPioneer 2Pioneer 2 Able 3
- Name
- Able 3 (Pioneer 2)
- Status
- retired
Details
- Description
- Able 3, later named Pioneer 2, was the physical lunar-probe spacecraft launched on 8 November 1958 as the second official NASA deep-space launch. A premature Thor-Able second-stage shutdown and failed third-stage ignition prevented lunar flight; the probe reached 951 miles altitude, returned scientific data, and burned up in Earth atmosphere minutes after launch.
- First Flight Date
- 1958-11-08
- Vehicle Family
Links
- Official Url
- https://science.nasa.gov/mission/pioneer-2/
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 6, 2026 at 19:50:57 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 6, 2026 at 19:50:57 UTC
Other
- Last Flight Date
- 1958-11-08
- Serial Number
- Able 3
- Vehicle Code
- Able 3