# Pioneer 1

> first satellite launched by NASA, unable to reach lunar orbit due to rocket guidance failure

**Wikidata**: [Q935600](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q935600)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pioneer-1

## Summary
Pioneer 1 was the first satellite launched by NASA, but it failed to reach lunar orbit due to a rocket guidance failure. It was part of the Pioneer program and was destroyed upon reentry into Earth's atmosphere.

## Key Facts
- **First NASA satellite**: Pioneer 1 was the first satellite launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
- **Launch date**: October 11, 1958, at 08:42:13 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A.
- **Launch vehicle**: Thor Able I, with flight number 130.
- **Mass**: 38.28 kilograms at launch weight.
- **Mission failure**: Unable to reach lunar orbit due to a rocket guidance failure.
- **Destruction**: Destroyed upon uncontrolled reentry into Earth's atmosphere on October 13, 1958.
- **Part of**: Pioneer program, following Pioneer 0 and preceding Pioneer 2.
- **Manufacturer**: TRW Inc.
- **Operator**: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1958-007A.
- **Harvard designation**: 1958 Eta 1.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Pioneer 1?
A: Pioneer 1 was intended to be the first U.S. satellite to reach lunar orbit, but it failed due to a rocket guidance issue.

### Q: Why did Pioneer 1 fail?
A: The mission failed because of a rocket guidance failure, preventing it from achieving lunar orbit.

### Q: What happened to Pioneer 1 after launch?
A: Pioneer 1 was destroyed upon uncontrolled reentry into Earth's atmosphere on October 13, 1958.

### Q: Who launched Pioneer 1?
A: Pioneer 1 was launched by NASA using a Thor Able I rocket.

### Q: What was the significance of Pioneer 1?
A: While Pioneer 1 was a failure, it was the first satellite launched by NASA and marked an early step in the U.S. space program.

## Why It Matters
Pioneer 1 was a pivotal early attempt in the U.S. space program, marking NASA's first satellite launch. Despite its failure to reach lunar orbit, the mission provided valuable lessons in rocket guidance and spacecraft design. It followed the unsuccessful Pioneer 0 and preceded the more successful Pioneer 2, contributing to the broader Pioneer program's objectives. The mission highlighted the challenges of early space exploration and the importance of precise guidance systems. While Pioneer 1 did not achieve its primary goal, it laid groundwork for future space missions and demonstrated NASA's commitment to advancing space technology.

## Notable For
- **First NASA satellite**: Pioneer 1 was the first satellite launched by NASA.
- **Early space program milestone**: It represented an early step in the U.S. space program despite its failure.
- **Rocket guidance failure**: The mission's failure was due to a critical rocket guidance issue.
- **Part of the Pioneer program**: It was part of a series of early U.S. space probes.
- **Destroyed upon reentry**: The satellite was lost when it reentered Earth's atmosphere.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Pioneer 1 was the first satellite launched by NASA, part of the Pioneer program. It was intended to reach lunar orbit but failed due to a rocket guidance failure. The mission was launched on October 11, 1958, from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A using a Thor Able I rocket.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 38.28 kilograms at launch weight.
- **Launch vehicle**: Thor Able I, flight number 130.
- **Operator**: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
- **Manufacturer**: TRW Inc.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1958-007A.

### Mission Failure
The mission failed to achieve lunar orbit due to a rocket guidance failure. As a result, Pioneer 1 was destroyed upon uncontrolled reentry into Earth's atmosphere on October 13, 1958.

### Historical Context
Pioneer 1 followed the unsuccessful Pioneer 0 and preceded the more successful Pioneer 2. It was part of a series of early U.S. space probes aimed at advancing space exploration technology.

### Legacy
While Pioneer 1 did not achieve its primary goal, it provided valuable lessons in rocket guidance and spacecraft design. The mission contributed to the broader Pioneer program's objectives and demonstrated NASA's commitment to advancing space technology.

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## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/displayTrajectory.action?id=1958-007A)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [1958 NASA/USAF Space Probe (ABLE-1) Final Report: Volume 2. Payload and Experiments](http://www.sdfo.org/stl/1958%20NASA%20USAF%20Space%20Probes%20%28ABLE-1%29%20FINAL%20REPORT%20Volume%2002.pdf)