Discoverer 5 was the fifth in a series of reconnaissance satellites, however, it failed to return its capsule when it was accidentally sent into a higher orbit. August 13, 1959 at 19:00 UTC · Launch Successful Thor Agena A — United States Air Force, to Polar Orbit Space Launch Complex 1W, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA The world's 44th orbital launch attempt, and 13th of 1959. Data: Launch Library 2, The Space Devs.