Transit 3A was a US Navy navigation satellite that was destroyed by range safety when the launch vehicle shut down too early. November 30, 1960 at 19:50 UTC · Launch Failure Thor DM-21 Ablestar — United States Air Force, to Polar Orbit Space Launch Complex 17B, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA The world's 87th orbital launch attempt, and 33rd of 1960. Data: Launch Library 2, The Space Devs. Image via The Space Devs.