The S-1 satellite was a geoscience satellite equipped with a suite of scientific instruments to study the environment around the Earth. It was destroyed 5 seconds into launch when the launch vehicle exploded due to an issue with the launch vehicles power supply. July 16, 1959 at 17:37 UTC · Launch Failure Juno II — National Aeronautics and Space Administration, to Elliptical Orbit Launch Complex 5, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA The world's 42nd orbital launch attempt, and 11th of 1959. Data: Launch Library 2, The Space Devs. Image via The Space Devs.