List of Thor and Delta launches (1957–1959)

Last updated

List of Thor and Delta launches
1957–1959  · 1960–1969  · 1970–1979  · 1980–1989  · 1990–1999  · 2000–2009  · 2010–2019  · 2020–2029

Between 1957 and 1959, there were 79 Thor missiles launched, of which 51 were successful, giving a 64.5% success rate.

Contents

Launch statistics

Rocket configurations

10
20
30
40
50
'58
'59
  •   Thor DM
  •   Thor-Agena

Launch sites

10
20
30
40
50
1957
'58
'59
  •   Cape Canaveral LC-17A
  •   Cape Canaveral LC-17B
  •   Cape Canaveral LC-18B
  •   Vandenberg LC-75
  •   Arguello LC-1-1 (Vandenberg SLC-3)

Launch outcomes

10
20
30
40
50
1957
'58
'59
  •   Success
  •   Partial Failure
  •   Failure

1957

There were 9 Thor missiles launched in 1957. 4 of the 9 launches were successful, giving a 44.4% success rate.

Date/Time
(UTC)		Rocket S/N Launch SitePayloadFunctionOrbitOutcomeRemarks
1957-01-26 Thor DM-18 Thor 101 CCAFS LC-17B Missile testSuborbitalFailureMaiden flight of Thor, first launch from LC-17. Contaminated LOX caused loss of thrust at liftoff. Vehicle fell back onto the pad and exploded.
1957-04-20
04:33		Thor DM-18Thor 102CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalFailureRSO sent a mistaken destruct command at T+35 seconds due to an incorrect console readout.
1957-08-30Thor DM-18Thor 104CCAFS LC-17A Missile testSuborbitalFailureFirst launch from LC-17A. Control malfunction led to missile breakup at T+92 seconds.
1957-09-20Thor DM-18Thor 105CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1957-10-03
17:14		Thor DM-18Thor 107CCAFS LC-17AMissile testSuborbitalFailureStuck valve prevented the gas generator from starting. Missile fell back onto the pad and exploded.
1957-10-11
16:33		Thor DM-18Thor 108CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalFailureTurbopump failure at T+152 seconds. Flight considered a "partial success".
1957-10-24
16:32		Thor DM-18Thor 109CCAFS LC-17AMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1957-12-07
22:11		Thor DM-18Thor 112CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1957-12-19
20:12		Thor DM-18Thor 113CCAFS LC-17AMissile testSuborbitalSuccess

1958

There were 20 Thor missiles launched in 1958. 8 of the 20 launches were successful, giving a 40% success rate.

Date/Time
(GMT)		Rocket S/N Launch SitePayloadFunctionOrbitOutcomeRemarks
1958-01-28
20:16		Thor DM-18Thor 114CCAFS LC-17AMissile testSuborbitalFailureElectrical malfunction led to control failure. RSO T+152 seconds.
1958-02-28
13:08		Thor DM-18Thor 120CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalFailurePremature engine shutdown at T+109 seconds.
1958-04-19
13:30		Thor DM-18Thor 121CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalFailureMissile lost thrust and fell back onto the pad, exploding. Suspected fuel line obstruction.
1958-04-24
00:10		 Thor DM-18 Able Thor 116CCAFS LC-17ARTV testSuborbitalFailureMaiden flight of Thor-Able. Turbopump failure T+146 seconds.
1958-06-04
21:17		Thor DM-18Thor 115CCAFS LC-18B Missile testSuborbitalSuccessFirst launch from LC-18B
1958-06-13
15:06		Thor DM-18Thor 122CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1958-07-10
15:06		Thor DM-18 AbleThor 118CCAFS LC-17ARTV testSuborbitalSuccess
1958-07-13
06:36		Thor DM-18Thor 123CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalSuccessPerformance was normal through the boost phase, but the BECO and warhead separation signals were never received.
1958-07-23
22:13		Thor DM-18 AbleThor 119CCAFS LC-17ARTV testSuborbitalSuccessBiological nose cone containing a mouse. The nose cone sank into the ocean and was not recovered.
1958-07-26
06:40		Thor DM-18Thor 126CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalFailureLOX valve malfunction led to loss of thrust and vehicle breakup at T+55 seconds
1958-08-06Thor DM-18Thor 117CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbitalSuccessFinal flight of Thor DM-18 missile
1958-08-17
12:18		 Thor DM-18 Able-I Thor 127CCAFS LC-17A Pioneer 0 Lunar orbiterHigh AltitudeFailureMaiden flight of Thor-Able I. First use of a Thor-based vehicle for an orbital launch. Turbopump failure, T+73,6 seconds.
1958-10-11
08:42:13		Thor DM-18 Able-IThor 130CCAFS LC-17A Pioneer 1 Lunar orbiterHigh AltitudeFailureThird stage underperformed
1958-11-05
08:53		 Thor DM-18A Thor 138CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalFailureMaiden flight of Thor DM-18A. Flight control failure. RSO T+45 seconds.
1958-11-08
08:42:13		Thor DM-18 Able-IThor 129CCAFS LC-17A Pioneer 2 Lunar orbiterHigh AltitudeFailureThird stage failed to ignite
1958-11-26
09:09		Thor DM-18AThor 140CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalPartial failureLoss of guidance system power caused the missile to overshoot its target point by 22 miles.
1958-12-06
00:41		Thor DM-18AThor 145CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbitalPartial failureLOX tank pressurization failure led to loss of thrust. Missile impacted 20 miles short of the target point.
1958-12-16
23:44:45		Thor DM-18AThor 151 VAFB LC-75-1-1 Missile testSuborbitalSuccessFirst Thor launch from Vandenberg AFB
1958-12-17
04:00		Thor DM-18AThor 146CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1958-12-31
02:00		Thor DM-18AThor 138CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbitalFailureFlight control failure. RSO T+40 seconds.

1959

There were 50 Thor missiles launched in 1959. 39 of the 50 launches were successful, giving a 78% success rate.

Date/Time
(UTC)		Rocket S/N Launch SitePayloadFunctionOrbitOutcomeRemarks
1959-01-23Thor DM-18 Able-IIThor 128CCAFS LC-17ARVX testSuborbitalFailureThor portion of flight successful. Staging failed due to an electrical malfunction. Vehicle fell into the Atlantic Ocean.
1959-01-30
23:53		Thor DM-18AThor 154CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-02-28
07:58		Thor DM-18 Able-IIThor 131CCAFS LC-17ARVX testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-02-28
21:49:16		 Thor DM-18 Agena-A Thor 163
Agena 1022		VAFB LC-75-3-4 Discoverer 1 ReconnaissanceLEOFailureMaiden flight of Thor-Agena. Agena telemetry lost T+730 seconds. Fate of the payload unknown, but generally presumed to have impacted somewhere in Antarctica.
1959-03-21
06:19		Thor DM-18 Able-IIThor 132CCAFS LC-17ARVX testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-03-22
00:58		Thor DM-18AThor 158CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-03-27
04:02		Thor DM-18AThor 162CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-04-08
06:35		Thor DM-18 Able-IIThor 133CCAFS LC-17ARVX testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-04-13
21:18:39		Thor DM-18 Agena-AThor 170
Agena 1018		VAFB LC-75-3-4 Discoverer 2 ReconnaissanceLEOSuccess
1959-04-16
20:46		Thor DM-18AThor 161VAFB LC-75-2-8Missile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-04-23
05:30		Thor DM-18AThor 176CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-04-25
05:00		Thor DM-18AThor 164CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-05-12
17:35		Thor DM-18AThor 187CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-05-21
06:40		Thor DM-18 Able-IIThor 135CCAFS LC-17ARVX testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-05-23
02:42		Thor DM-18AThor 184CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-06-03
20:09:20		Thor DM-18 Agena-AThor 174
Agena 1020		VAFB LC-75-3-4 Discoverer 3 ReconnaissanceLEOFailureAgena attitude control malfunction pointed the stage in the wrong direction, sending it into the Pacific Ocean rather than orbit.
1959-06-11
06:44		Thor DM-18 Able-IIThor 137CCAFS LC-17ARVX testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-06-16
21:45		Thor DM-18AThor 191VAFB LC-75-2-7Missile testSuborbitalFailurePitch and roll program failed to initiate. RSO T+50 seconds.
1959-06-25
22:47:45		Thor DM-18 Agena-AThor 179
Agena 1023		VAFB LC-75-3-5 Discoverer 4 ReconnaissanceLEOFailureAgena developed insufficient thrust to attain orbital velocity.
1959-06-26Thor DM-18AThor 198CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-06-30
02:37		Thor DM-18AThor 194CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-07-21
07:33		Thor DM-18AThor 203CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalFailurePitch and roll program failed to initiate. RSO T+40 seconds.
1959-07-24
12:47		Thor DM-18AThor 202CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-08-03
21:41		Thor DM-18AThor 175VAFB LC-75-1-1Missile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-08-06
02:48		Thor DM-18AThor 208CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-08-07
14:24:20		Thor DM-18 Able-IIIThor 134CCAFS LC-17A Explorer 6 RadiationHEOSuccess
1959-08-13
19:00:08		Thor DM-18 Agena-AThor 192
Agena 1029		VAFB LC-75-3-4 Discoverer 5 ReconnaissanceLEOSuccess
1959-08-14
09:00		Thor DM-18AThor 204CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-08-14
19:36:04		Thor DM-18AThor 190VAFB LC-75-2-6Missile testSuborbitalPartial failurePremature propellant depletion. Planned range not achieved.
1959-08-19
19:24:44		Thor DM-18 Agena-AThor 200
Agena 1028		VAFB LC-75-3-5 Discoverer 6 ReconnaissanceLEOSuccess
1959-08-27
12:30		Thor DM-18AThor 216CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-09-12Thor DM-18AThor 217CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-09-17
14:34		Thor DM-18 Able-IIThor 136CCAFS LC-17A Transit 1A NavigationLEOFailureThird stage malfunctioned
1959-09-17
21:09		Thor DM-18AThor 228VAFB LC-75-1-2Missile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-09-22
18:00		Thor DM-18AThor 222CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-10-06
16:41		Thor DM-18AThor 235CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-10-06
18:26		Thor DM-18AThor 239VAFB LC-75-2-8Missile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-10-14
04:15		Thor DM-18AThor 221CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-10-21
22:57		Thor DM-18AThor 220VAFB LC-75-1-1Missile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-10-29
02:12		Thor DM-18AThor 230CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-11-03Thor DM-18AThor 238CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-11-07
20:28:41		Thor DM-18 Agena-AThor 206
Agena 1051		VAFB LC-75-3-4 Discoverer 7 ReconnaissanceLEOSuccess
1959-11-12
19:24		Thor DM-18AThor 181VAFB LC-75-1-2Missile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-11-19Thor DM-18AThor 244CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-11-20
19:25:24		Thor DM-18 Agena-AThor 212
Agena 1050		VAFB LC-75-3-5 Discoverer 8 ReconnaissanceLEOFailureOrbit too eccentric for use of return capsule
1959-12-01
17:00		Thor DM-18AThor 254CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-12-02
05:29		Thor DM-18AThor 265VAFB LC-75-1-1Missile testSuborbitalFailure
1959-12-15
02:14		Thor DM-18AThor 185VAFB LC-75-1-2Missile testSuborbitalFailureFlight control failure. Missile broke up T+60 seconds.
1959-12-17Thor DM-18AThor 255CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalSuccess

Images

See also

Related Research Articles

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Military rocket launch site in Florida, USA

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) is an installation of the United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45, located on Cape Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida.

PGM-17 Thor Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM)

The PGM-17A Thor was the first operational ballistic missile of the United States Air Force (USAF). Named after the Norse god of thunder, it was deployed in the United Kingdom between 1959 and September 1963 as an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) with thermonuclear warheads. Thor was 65 feet (20 m) in height and 8 feet (2.4 m) in diameter. It was later augmented in the U.S. IRBM arsenal by the Jupiter.

PGM-19 Jupiter Medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM)

The PGM-19 Jupiter was the first nuclear armed, medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) of the United States Air Force (USAF). It was a liquid-propellant rocket using RP-1 fuel and LOX oxidizer, with a single Rocketdyne LR79-NA rocket engine producing 667 kilonewtons (150,000 lbf) of thrust. It was armed with the 1.44 megatons of TNT (6.0 PJ) W49 nuclear warhead. The prime contractor was the Chrysler Corporation.

Titan IV Expendable launch system used by the US Air Force

Titan IV was a family of heavy-lift space launch vehicles developed by Martin Marietta and operated by the United States Air Force from 1989 to 2005. Launches were conducted from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

Thor-Able

The Thor-Able was an American expendable launch system and sounding rocket used for a series of re-entry vehicle tests and satellite launches between 1958 and 1960. It was a two-stage rocket, consisting of a Thor IRBM as a first stage and a Vanguard-derived Able second stage. On some flights, an Altair solid rocket motor was added as a third stage. It was a member of the Thor family and an early predecessor of the Delta.

Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17 American space launch site at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, United States

Space Launch Complex 17 (SLC-17), previously designated Launch Complex 17 (LC-17), was a launch site at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Florida used for Thor and Delta launch vehicles launches between 1958 and 2011.

SM-65B Atlas Prototype of the Atlas missile

The Convair SM-65B Atlas, or Atlas B, also designated X-12 was a prototype of the Atlas missile. First flown on 19 July 1958, the Atlas B was the first version of the Atlas rocket to use the stage and a half design with an operational sustainer engine and jettisonable booster engine section. Unlike later Atlas models, the Atlas B used explosive bolts to jettison the booster section.

Thor-Ablestar American expendable launch system

The Thor-Ablestar, or Thor-Able-Star, also known as Thor-Epsilon was an early American expendable launch system consisting of a PGM-17 Thor missile, with an Ablestar upper stage. It was a member of the Thor family of rockets, and was derived from the Thor-Able.

Delta 1000

The Delta 1000 series was an American expendable launch system which was used to conduct eight orbital launches between 1972 and 1975. It was a member of the Delta family of rockets. Several variants existed, differentiated by a four digit numerical code. Delta 1000 was developed by McDonnell Douglas company in 1972.

Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 13 Former rocket launch site in Florida, USA

Launch Complex 13 (LC-13) was a launch complex at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the third-most southerly of the original launch complexes known as Missile Row, lying between LC-12 and LC-14. In 2015, the LC-13 site was leased by SpaceX and was renovated for use as Landing Zone 1 and Landing Zone 2, the company's East Coast landing location for returning Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch vehicle booster stages.

Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 18

Launch Complex 18 (LC-18) is a launch complex at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida that was active during the late 1950s and early 1960s. It was used by Viking, Vanguard, Thor and Scout rockets. The complex consists of two launch pads, LC-18A, which was originally built by the US Navy for the Vanguard rocket, and LC-18B, which was originally by the US Air Force used for tests of the PGM-17 Thor missile.

6555th Aerospace Test Group Military unit

The 6555th Aerospace Test Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the Eastern Space and Missile Center and stationed at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. It was inactivated on 1 October 1990.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.