An active repeater communications satellite. The vehicle succesfully launched and successfully operated for a few weeks proving the experimental system. October 4, 1960 at 17:50 UTC · Launch Successful Thor DM-21 Ablestar — United States Air Force, to Low Earth Orbit Space Launch Complex 17B, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA The world's 79th orbital launch attempt, and 25th of 1960. Data: Launch Library 2, The Space Devs. Image via The Space Devs.