Pioneer P-3

Launch data:

Spacecraft data:

Description:

• This mission used the first of four spacecraft designed by Space Technology Laboratories for a lunar assault in 1959 and 1960; two of them had originally been slated for Venus orbit (in June 1959), but mission planners had redirected their missions after the success of the Soviet Luna 3 mission. All the scientific experiments and internal instrumentation were powered by nickel-cadmium batteries charged from 1,100 solar cells on 4 paddles. Each probe also carried an internal hydrazine monopropellant motor for lunar orbit insertion at a range of 8,000 kilometers from the Moon. Ideal lunar orbital parameters were planned as 6,400 x 4,800 kilometers. The missions also inaugurated the first use of the Atlas-with-an-upper-stage combination, affording increased payload weight.
• Scientific Instruments:
  1) high-energy radiation counter
  2) ionization chamber
  3) Geiger-Mueller tube
  4) low-energy radiation counter
  5) two magnetometers
  6) photo-scanning device
  7) micrometeoroid detector
  8) aspect indicator
  9) radio receiver to detect natural radio waves
  10) transponder to measure electrondensities

Mission details:

P-3 was launched on an Atlas-D Able. The plastic payload shroud broke away 45 seconds after launch, subjecting the payload and third stage rocket to critical aerodynamic loads. At T+104 seconds after launch communications with the upper stages was lost and the payload was stripped off followed by the third stage. Telemetry indicated the first and second stages continued as programmed.