# Pioneer 2

> U.S. space probe lost due to a launch failure

**Wikidata**: [Q511236](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q511236)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pioneer-2

## Summary
Pioneer 2 was a U.S. space probe that was lost due to a launch failure shortly after its launch on November 8, 1958. It was part of the early Pioneer program, which aimed to explore outer space, and was operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

## Key Facts
*   **Instance of:** Space probe, former entity
*   **Launch Date:** November 8, 1958
*   **Cause of Destruction:** Launch failure, uncontrolled reentry
*   **Launch Vehicle:** Thor Able I / Thor-Able
*   **Operator:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
*   **Mass:** 39.6 kilograms (takeoff)
*   **Manufacturer:** TRW Inc.
*   **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17
*   **Part of:** Pioneer program
*   **Follows:** Pioneer 1
*   **Followed by:** Pioneer 3

## FAQs
### Q: What was Pioneer 2?
A: Pioneer 2 was a U.S. space probe that was launched on November 8, 1958, as part of the Pioneer program. Its mission was unsuccessful, as it was lost due to a launch failure.

### Q: When was Pioneer 2 launched?
A: Pioneer 2 was launched on November 8, 1958. The launch took place from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.

### Q: What was the fate of Pioneer 2?
A: Pioneer 2 was lost due to a launch failure shortly after launch. This resulted in an uncontrolled reentry, ending its mission.

### Q: Who operated Pioneer 2?
A: Pioneer 2 was operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

### Q: What was the launch vehicle for Pioneer 2?
A: Pioneer 2 was launched using a Thor Able I, which is also referred to as a Thor-Able launch system.

## Why It Matters
Pioneer 2 holds significance as an early attempt by the United States to explore outer space as part of the nascent Pioneer program. Despite its mission ending in a launch failure, it represents a crucial step in the development of American space technology and exploration capabilities. As one of the initial space probes, following Pioneer 1 and preceding Pioneer 3, its unsuccessful launch provided invaluable data and lessons for engineers and scientists. These early failures were instrumental in identifying challenges in rocket guidance, propulsion, and spacecraft design, contributing to the iterative process of improving reliability and success rates for future space missions. Pioneer 2's story underscores the inherent risks and complexities of pioneering space travel and the continuous learning required to advance humanity's reach beyond Earth.

## Notable For
*   Being an early U.S. space probe in the Pioneer program.
*   Its mission ending in a launch failure shortly after liftoff.
*   Being launched by a Thor Able I / Thor-Able launch vehicle.
*   Following Pioneer 1 and preceding Pioneer 3 in the sequence of Pioneer missions.
*   Having a takeoff mass of 39.6 kilograms.

## Body

### Overview
Pioneer 2 was a U.S. space probe. It was lost due to a launch failure. It is classified as a space probe and a former entity.

### Mission Details
Pioneer 2 was launched on November 8, 1958. The launch occurred from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17. The operator of the mission was the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). TRW Inc. was the manufacturer of the probe. The launch vehicle used was a Thor Able I, also known as a Thor-Able. The takeoff mass of Pioneer 2 was 39.6 kilograms.

### Mission Outcome
The mission of Pioneer 2 ended in failure. The cause of destruction was a launch failure, which led to an uncontrolled reentry. The probe reached an apoapsis of 1550 kilometers before its destruction.

### Program Context
Pioneer 2 was part of the Pioneer program. It followed Pioneer 1 in the program sequence. Pioneer 3 followed Pioneer 2.

### Identifiers and Aliases
*   **NSSDCA ID:** PION2
*   **Aliases:** Able 3, بيونير ٢
*   **Wikipedia Title:** Pioneer 2
*   **Freebase ID:** /m/0l26g

### Image and Commons
An image of Pioneer 2 is available at `https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Pioneer_able.png`. The commons category for Pioneer 2 is "Pioneer 2".

```json
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Pioneer 2",
  "description": "U.S. space probe lost due to a launch failure.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q206855",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_2"
  ],
  "additionalType": "https://schema.org/SpaceProbe",
  "image": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Pioneer_able.png",
  "launchDate": "1958-11-08",
  "operator": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "National Aeronautics and Space Administration"
  },
  "manufacturer": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "TRW Inc."
  },
  "mass": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": "39.6",
    "unitCode": "KGM"
  }
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013