The Economic Times

In 1958, US Air Force launched an Able 1 spacecraft to the Moon in humanitys first attempt to send a spaceship anywhere beyond Earth orbit but the mission lasted only 73.6 seconds

In 1958, US Air Force launched an Able 1 spacecraft to the Moon in humanitys first attempt to send a spaceship anywhere beyond Earth orbit. The spacecraft was designed to enter lunar orbit, but its Thor rocket exploded 73.6 seconds after launch. The mission later became known as Pioneer 0 and became the start of the Pioneer mission series.