# Pioneer P-30

> lunar orbiter probe which failed to be launched

**Wikidata**: [Q1187441](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1187441)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_P-30)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pioneer-p-30

## Summary
Pioneer P-30 was a lunar orbiter probe launched by NASA in 1960 that failed to reach orbit due to a launch failure. It was part of the Pioneer program and intended to explore the Moon as an unmanned robotic spacecraft.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: September 25, 1960, at 15:13 UTC from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 12.
- **Mass**: 175.5 kg at takeoff.
- **Diameter**: 1 meter.
- **Operator**: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
- **Manufacturer**: TRW Inc.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Atlas-Able.
- **Cause of Destruction**: Launch failure.
- **Part of**: Pioneer program.
- **Preceded by**: Pioneer 5.
- **Followed by**: Pioneer P-31.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Pioneer P-30?
A: Pioneer P-30 was intended to be a lunar orbiter probe, designed to explore the Moon as part of NASA's Pioneer program.

### Q: Why did Pioneer P-30 fail?
A: Pioneer P-30 failed due to a launch failure, preventing it from reaching orbit.

### Q: Who manufactured Pioneer P-30?
A: Pioneer P-30 was manufactured by TRW Inc.

### Q: What was the launch vehicle for Pioneer P-30?
A: The launch vehicle for Pioneer P-30 was the Atlas-Able.

### Q: What was the mass of Pioneer P-30 at takeoff?
A: The mass of Pioneer P-30 at takeoff was 175.5 kg.

## Why It Matters
Pioneer P-30, despite its failure, is significant as part of the early efforts in space exploration, particularly in the context of lunar missions. It represents the challenges and risks inherent in space travel and the iterative process of learning from failures. The Pioneer program, of which P-30 was a part, laid the groundwork for future successful missions and contributed to the advancement of space technology. Understanding the failures and successes of early space probes like Pioneer P-30 helps in appreciating the progress made in space exploration and the complexities involved in designing and launching spacecraft.

## Notable For
- **First Attempt**: One of the early attempts by NASA to launch a lunar orbiter probe.
- **Launch Failure**: Notable for its launch failure, which provided valuable lessons for future missions.
- **Part of Pioneer Program**: Contributed to the broader Pioneer program, which was instrumental in early space exploration.
- **Technical Specifications**: Had a mass of 175.5 kg and a diameter of 1 meter, showcasing the technical capabilities of the time.
- **Historical Context**: Represents the early efforts and challenges in lunar exploration during the 1960s.

## Body
### Overview
Pioneer P-30 was a space probe designed to explore the Moon as part of NASA's Pioneer program. It was launched on September 25, 1960, but failed to reach orbit due to a launch failure.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 175.5 kg at takeoff.
- **Diameter**: 1 meter.
- **Operator**: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
- **Manufacturer**: TRW Inc.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Atlas-Able.

### Launch Details
- **Launch Date**: September 25, 1960, at 15:13 UTC.
- **Launch Site**: Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 12.
- **Cause of Failure**: Launch failure.

### Context and Significance
Pioneer P-30 was part of a series of early space probes aimed at exploring the Moon. Despite its failure, it contributed to the broader understanding of the challenges involved in space exploration. The Pioneer program, which included both successful and failed missions, played a crucial role in the development of space technology and the eventual success of lunar missions.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Pioneer P-30",
  "description": "A lunar orbiter probe which failed to be launched.",
  "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_P-30",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15241312", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_P-30"],
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## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Pioneer P-30](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=PIONY)