The Pioneer P-1, -3, -30 and -31 series was intended to be a lunar orbiter probe, but the mission failed shortly after launch. The objectives were to place a highly instrumented probe in lunar orbit, to investigate the environment between the Earth and Moon, and to develop technology for controlling and maneuvering spacecraft from Earth. November 26, 1959 at 07:26 UTC · Launch Failure Atlas-Able — United States Air Force, to Lunar Orbit Space Launch Complex 14, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA The world's 54th orbital launch attempt, and 23rd of 1959. Data: Launch Library 2, The Space Devs. Image by United States Air Force (Department of Defense Image Use Policy) via The Space Devs.