The Discoverer 3 reconnaissance satellite failed to reach orbit due to a failure of the Agena A upper stage. June 3, 1959 at 20:09 UTC · Launch Failure Thor Agena A — United States Air Force, to Polar Orbit Space Launch Complex 1W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA The world's 38th orbital launch attempt, and 7th of 1959. Data: Launch Library 2, The Space Devs.