Beacon 2 was launched an a three stage Juno 2 rocket. The vehicle ran into trouble three minutes into flight and an array of failures caused the GNC system to fail causing the satellite to fall short of orbit. August 15, 1959 at 00:31 UTC · Launch Failure Juno II — National Aeronautics and Space Administration, to Low Earth Orbit Launch Complex 26B, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA The world's 45th orbital launch attempt, and 14th of 1959. Data: Launch Library 2, The Space Devs. Image via The Space Devs.