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Launch FailureUnited States Air Force
Atlas-Able: P-31
An intended lunar orbiter the vehicle was destroyed when the launch vehicle exploded due to a malfunction in the first stage.
Thursday, 15 December 1960
Mission Data
🇺🇸United States Air ForceEst. 1947
Launch VehicleAtlas-Able
Vehicle FamilyAtlas
Vehicle Record0 of 3 launches (0%)
Provider TypeGovernment
Agency Record972 successes / 106 failures (90%)
Success Streak68 consecutive
Mission TypePlanetary Science
Target OrbitLunar Orbit
Launch PadLaunch Complex 12
Location🇺🇸 Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA USA
Orbital Launches This Year#37
Agency Launches This Year#26
Launches From This Pad23
Launches From This Site1,132
Status Note
Either the launch vehicle did not reach orbit, or the payload(s) failed to separate.
About Atlas-Able
The Atlas-Able was an American expendable launch system derived from the SM-65 Atlas missile. It was a member of the Atlas family of rockets, and was used to launch several Pioneer spacecraft towards the Moon. Of the five Atlas-Able rockets built, two failed during static firings, and the other three failed to reach orbit.
Launch Site
Launch Complex 12 · 28.4806°N 80.5419°W
Launch data from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs.