Launches
Launch SuccessfulNational Aeronautics and Space Administration

Pioneer 3

Juno II

This mission has flown

December 6, 1958

Mission overview

Pioneer 3 was a spin-stabilized spacecraft intended as a lunar probe but failed to perform a lunar flyby as planned. Its mission was revised to measure radiation in the outer Van Allen radiation belts.

Rocket

Juno II

Mission type

Lunar Exploration

Payload

Pioneer 3

Launch complex

Launch Complex 5 · Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

Launch date

December 6, 1958

Launch window

Instantaneous window

Orbit reached

Lunar flyby

Launch trajectory

The launch pad has not been identified. No flight path is shown.

Your viewing outlook

AI-powered

Use a public place or city, not your home address. Your entry is sent to Lovable AI for this request.

Based on the available launch details, not live local weather or a confirmed flight path. Visibility is not guaranteed.

Mission updates

Live updates from our team at the press site will appear here on launch day.