Pioneer 3

U.S. space probe lost due to a launch failure. Pioneer 3 was launched on December 6, 1958 aboard a Juno II from Cape Canaveral & Kennedy. Latest status in GCAT: reentered (orbital decay) (Dec 7, 1958).

COSPAR 1958 THENORAD 111United States

Identity

Name in GCAT: Pioneer III
Common name: Pioneer 3
Payload designation: Pioneer 3
International designator: 1958 THE
NORAD catalog number: 111
GCAT identifier: S00111

Mission

Mission type: Deep space
Use: Civil government
Program: Pioneer (Army)
Owner: ABMA
Country: United States
Builder: Jet Propulsion Lab
Platform (bus): Juno II Probe

Launch

Date: December 6, 1958 · 05:44 UTC
Launch record: 1958 THESuccess
Rocket: Juno II
Spaceport: Cape Canaveral & Kennedy · pad LC5

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): SO
Perigee: -70 km
Apogee: 102,200 km
Inclination: 28.50°
Status: Reentered (orbital decay)
Status date: December 7, 1958
Last known active: Dec 7, 1958
End of operations: Dec 7, 1958

Size

Mass: 6 kg
Dry mass: 6 kg
Length: 0.6 m
Diameter: 0.20 m
Span: 0.6 m

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q628186 (CC0).