Pioneer 5 was a spin-stabilized space probe in the NASA Pioneer program used to investigate interplanetary space between the orbits of Earth and Venus. March 11, 1960 at 13:00 UTC · Launch Successful Thor Able IV — United States Air Force, to Heliocentric N/A Space Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA The world's 58th orbital launch attempt, and 4th of 1960. Data: Launch Library 2, The Space Devs.