SAC-B, the first Argentine satellite for scientific applications, was conceived for the advancement of studies in solar physics and astrophysics through the examination of solar flares, gamma ray bursts, diffuse X-ray cosmic background, and energetic neutral atoms. The undertaking was an international endeavor under a cooperation agreement between the CONAE and NASA by which the CONAE was responsible for providing the spacecraft, one instrument, and the integration of payloads supplied by other participant countries. INVAP was the prime contractor for all the CONAE provision while NASA was responsible to procure the launch. After launch in November 1996, a power failure in the third stage of the Pegasus-XL launcher unfortunately rendered SAC-B useless after a few orbits during which it proved working as predicted.