Profiles Index

Pioneer 1 - Able 2
It was the dawn of a new era. Although Able 2 was actually launched by the US Air Force, it was the first mission undertaken by the fledgling National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Able 2 was very similar to Able 1. It was also an attempt at orbiting a satellite around the moon. Unfortunately, it also suffered from difficulties as Able 1 had. After launch, the second stage engines shut down ten seconds early because of a faulty accelerometer.

Pioneer 0 First US Lunar Mission - Able 1
In an ambitious attempt at deep space exploration, the United States launched their first attempt (first by an country) in August of 1958. Originally called Able 1, the flight was renamed Pioneer 0 after its launch. The plan was to insert a 38 kg (84 pound) satellite into a lunar orbit and send back data for about 2 weeks. The spacecraft's first stage rocket exploded 77 seconds after launch. The wreckage plummeted into the Atlantic Ocean.