NASA launches Pioneer 1, its first space probe, although it fails to achieve a stable orbit.

Pioneer 1

Failed NASA orbiter mission to the Moon (1958)

Pioneer 1 was an American space probe, the first under the auspices of NASA, which was launched by a Thor-Able rocket on 11 October 1958. It was intended to orbit the Moon and make scientific measurements, but due to a guidance error failed to achieve lunar orbit and was…