In 1958, US Air Force launched an Able 1 spacecraft to the Moon in humanity’s first attempt to send a spaceship anywhere beyond Earth orbit. The mission was planned as an attempt to place a spacecraft around the Moon. Able 1 was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Aug. 17, 1958. The spacecraft carried instruments that were designed to study conditions during the journey and near the Moon. However, the mission ended shortly after launch. The Thor first stage exploded 73.6 seconds after liftoff. The spacecraft continued transmitting data for at least 123 seconds after the explosion. The mission later became known as Pioneer 0.
