List of Thor and Delta launches (1957–1959)
| List of Thor and Delta launches |
|---|
| 1957–1959 · 1960–1969 · 1970–1979 · 1980–1989 · 1990–1999 · 2000–2009 · 2010–2019 · 2020–2024 |
Between 1957 and 1959, there were 79 Thor missiles launched, of which 51 were successful, giving a 64.5% success rate.
Launch statistics
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 Site | Payload | Function | Orbit | Outcome | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1957-01-26 | Thor DM-18 | Thor 101 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Failure | Maiden 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-18 | Thor 102 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Failure | RSO sent a mistaken destruct command at T+35 seconds due to an incorrect console readout. | |
| 1957-08-30 | Thor DM-18 | Thor 104 | CCAFS LC-17A | Missile test | Suborbital | Failure | First launch from LC-17A. Control malfunction led to missile breakup at T+92 seconds. | |
| 1957-09-20 | Thor DM-18 | Thor 105 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1957-10-03 17:14 |
Thor DM-18 | Thor 107 | CCAFS LC-17A | Missile test | Suborbital | Failure | Stuck valve prevented the gas generator from starting. Missile fell back onto the pad and exploded. | |
| 1957-10-11 16:33 |
Thor DM-18 | Thor 108 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Failure | Turbopump failure at T+152 seconds. Flight considered a "partial success". | |
| 1957-10-24 16:32 |
Thor DM-18 | Thor 109 | CCAFS LC-17A | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1957-12-07 22:11 |
Thor DM-18 | Thor 112 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1957-12-19 20:12 |
Thor DM-18 | Thor 113 | CCAFS LC-17A | Missile test | Suborbital | Success |
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 Site | Payload | Function | Orbit | Outcome | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958-01-28 20:16 |
Thor DM-18 | Thor 114 | CCAFS LC-17A | Missile test | Suborbital | Failure | Electrical malfunction led to control failure. RSO T+152 seconds. | |
| 1958-02-28 13:08 |
Thor DM-18 | Thor 120 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Failure | Premature engine shutdown at T+109 seconds. | |
| 1958-04-19 13:30 |
Thor DM-18 | Thor 121 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Failure | Missile lost thrust and fell back onto the pad, exploding. Suspected fuel line obstruction. | |
| 1958-04-24 00:10 |
Thor DM-18 Able | Thor 116 | CCAFS LC-17A | RTV test | Suborbital | Failure | Maiden flight of Thor-Able. Turbopump failure T+146 seconds. | |
| 1958-06-04 21:17 |
Thor DM-18 | Thor 115 | CCAFS LC-18B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | First launch from LC-18B | |
| 1958-06-13 15:06 |
Thor DM-18 | Thor 122 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1958-07-10 15:06 |
Thor DM-18 Able | Thor 118 | CCAFS LC-17A | RTV test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1958-07-13 06:36 |
Thor DM-18 | Thor 123 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | Performance was normal through the boost phase, but the BECO and warhead separation signals were never received. | |
| 1958-07-23 22:13 |
Thor DM-18 Able | Thor 119 | CCAFS LC-17A | RTV test | Suborbital | Success | Biological nose cone containing a mouse. The nose cone sank into the ocean and was not recovered. | |
| 1958-07-26 06:40 |
Thor DM-18 | Thor 126 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Failure | LOX valve malfunction led to loss of thrust and vehicle breakup at T+55 seconds | |
| 1958-08-06 | Thor DM-18 | Thor 117 | CCAFS LC-18B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | Final flight of Thor DM-18 missile | |
| 1958-08-17 12:18 |
Thor DM-18 Able-I | Thor 127 | CCAFS LC-17A | Pioneer 0 | Lunar orbiter | High Altitude | Failure | Maiden 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-I | Thor 130 | CCAFS LC-17A | Pioneer 1 | Lunar orbiter | High Altitude | Failure | Third stage underperformed |
| 1958-11-05 08:53 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 138 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Failure | Maiden flight of Thor DM-18A. Flight control failure. RSO T+45 seconds. | |
| 1958-11-08 08:42:13 |
Thor DM-18 Able-I | Thor 129 | CCAFS LC-17A | Pioneer 2 | Lunar orbiter | High Altitude | Failure | Third stage failed to ignite |
| 1958-11-26 09:09 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 140 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Partial failure | Loss of guidance system power caused the missile to overshoot its target point by 22 miles. | |
| 1958-12-06 00:41 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 145 | CCAFS LC-18B | Missile test | Suborbital | Partial failure | LOX 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-18A | Thor 151 | VAFB LC-75-1-1 | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | First Thor launch from Vandenberg AFB | |
| 1958-12-17 04:00 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 146 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1958-12-31 02:00 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 138 | CCAFS LC-18B | Missile test | Suborbital | Failure | Flight 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 Site | Payload | Function | Orbit | Outcome | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959-01-23 | Thor DM-18 Able-II | Thor 128 | CCAFS LC-17A | RVX test | Suborbital | Failure | Thor portion of flight successful. Staging failed due to an electrical malfunction. Vehicle fell into the Atlantic Ocean. | |
| 1959-01-30 23:53 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 154 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-02-28 07:58 |
Thor DM-18 Able-II | Thor 131 | CCAFS LC-17A | RVX test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-02-28 21:49:16 |
Thor DM-18 Agena-A | Thor 163 Agena 1022 |
VAFB LC-75-3-4 | Discoverer 1 | Reconnaissance | LEO | Failure | Maiden 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-II | Thor 132 | CCAFS LC-17A | RVX test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-03-22 00:58 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 158 | CCAFS LC-18B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-03-27 04:02 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 162 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-04-08 06:35 |
Thor DM-18 Able-II | Thor 133 | CCAFS LC-17A | RVX test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-04-13 21:18:39 |
Thor DM-18 Agena-A | Thor 170 Agena 1018 |
VAFB LC-75-3-4 | Discoverer 2 | Reconnaissance | LEO | Success | |
| 1959-04-16 20:46 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 161 | VAFB LC-75-2-8 | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-04-23 05:30 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 176 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-04-25 05:00 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 164 | CCAFS LC-18B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-05-12 17:35 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 187 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-05-21 06:40 |
Thor DM-18 Able-II | Thor 135 | CCAFS LC-17A | RVX test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-05-23 02:42 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 184 | CCAFS LC-18B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-06-03 20:09:20 |
Thor DM-18 Agena-A | Thor 174 Agena 1020 |
VAFB LC-75-3-4 | Discoverer 3 | Reconnaissance | LEO | Failure | Agena 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-II | Thor 137 | CCAFS LC-17A | RVX test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-06-16 21:45 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 191 | VAFB LC-75-2-7 | Missile test | Suborbital | Failure | Pitch and roll program failed to initiate. RSO T+50 seconds. | |
| 1959-06-25 22:47:45 |
Thor DM-18 Agena-A | Thor 179 Agena 1023 |
VAFB LC-75-3-5 | Discoverer 4 | Reconnaissance | LEO | Failure | Agena developed insufficient thrust to attain orbital velocity. |
| 1959-06-26 | Thor DM-18A | Thor 198 | CCAFS LC-18B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-06-30 02:37 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 194 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-07-21 07:33 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 203 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Failure | Pitch and roll program failed to initiate. RSO T+40 seconds. | |
| 1959-07-24 12:47 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 202 | CCAFS LC-18B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-08-03 21:41 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 175 | VAFB LC-75-1-1 | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-08-06 02:48 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 208 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-08-07 14:24:20 |
Thor DM-18 Able-III | Thor 134 | CCAFS LC-17A | Explorer 6 | Radiation | HEO | Success | |
| 1959-08-13 19:00:08 |
Thor DM-18 Agena-A | Thor 192 Agena 1029 |
VAFB LC-75-3-4 | Discoverer 5 | Reconnaissance | LEO | Success | |
| 1959-08-14 09:00 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 204 | CCAFS LC-18B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-08-14 19:36:04 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 190 | VAFB LC-75-2-6 | Missile test | Suborbital | Partial failure | Premature propellant depletion. Planned range not achieved. | |
| 1959-08-19 19:24:44 |
Thor DM-18 Agena-A | Thor 200 Agena 1028 |
VAFB LC-75-3-5 | Discoverer 6 | Reconnaissance | LEO | Success | |
| 1959-08-27 12:30 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 216 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-09-12 | Thor DM-18A | Thor 217 | CCAFS LC-18B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-09-17 14:34 |
Thor DM-18 Able-II | Thor 136 | CCAFS LC-17A | Transit 1A | Navigation | LEO | Failure | Third stage malfunctioned |
| 1959-09-17 21:09 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 228 | VAFB LC-75-1-2 | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-09-22 18:00 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 222 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-10-06 16:41 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 235 | CCAFS LC-18B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-10-06 18:26 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 239 | VAFB LC-75-2-8 | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-10-14 04:15 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 221 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-10-21 22:57 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 220 | VAFB LC-75-1-1 | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-10-29 02:12 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 230 | CCAFS LC-18B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-11-03 | Thor DM-18A | Thor 238 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-11-07 20:28:41 |
Thor DM-18 Agena-A | Thor 206 Agena 1051 |
VAFB LC-75-3-4 | Discoverer 7 | Reconnaissance | LEO | Success | |
| 1959-11-12 19:24 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 181 | VAFB LC-75-1-2 | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-11-19 | Thor DM-18A | Thor 244 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-11-20 19:25:24 |
Thor DM-18 Agena-A | Thor 212 Agena 1050 |
VAFB LC-75-3-5 | Discoverer 8 | Reconnaissance | LEO | Failure | Orbit too eccentric for use of return capsule |
| 1959-12-01 17:00 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 254 | CCAFS LC-18B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success | ||
| 1959-12-02 05:29 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 265 | VAFB LC-75-1-1 | Missile test | Suborbital | Failure | ||
| 1959-12-15 02:14 |
Thor DM-18A | Thor 185 | VAFB LC-75-1-2 | Missile test | Suborbital | Failure | Flight control failure. Missile broke up T+60 seconds. | |
| 1959-12-17 | Thor DM-18A | Thor 255 | CCAFS LC-17B | Missile test | Suborbital | Success |
Images
Thor 127
Thor 130
Thor 129
Thor 134
Thor 136
See also
Thor and Delta rockets | ||||||||||||||
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