Thor Agena D

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Thor Agena D

Thor Agena A -

Credit: US Air Force. 15,201 bytes. 162 x 480 pixels.

Family: Delta. Country: USA. Status: Hardware. Department of Defence Designation: SLV-2. Manufacturer's Designation: DSV-2A.

Specifications

Launches: 22. Failures: 3. Success Rate: 86.36% pct. First Launch Date: 28 June 1962. Last Launch Date: 31 May 1967. Liftoff Thrust: 68,040 kgf. Total Mass: 56,507 kg. Core Diameter: 2.4 m. Total Length: 31.0 m. Flyaway Unit Cost $: 13.63 million. in 1985 unit dollars.

Stage Number: 1. 1 x Thor DM-19 Gross Mass: 49,340 kg. Empty Mass: 3,125 kg. Thrust (vac): 77,367 kgf. Isp: 282 sec. Burn time: 165 sec. Isp(sl): 248 sec. Diameter: 2.4 m. Span: 2.4 m. Length: 18.4 m. Propellants: Lox/Kerosene No Engines: 1. LR-79-7
Stage Number: 2. 1 x Agena B Gross Mass: 7,167 kg. Empty Mass: 867 kg. Thrust (vac): 7,257 kgf. Isp: 285 sec. Burn time: 240 sec. Isp(sl): 0 sec. Diameter: 1.5 m. Span: 1.5 m. Length: 7.1 m. Propellants: Nitric acid/UDMH No Engines: 1. Bell 8081

Thor Agena D Chronology

1962 Jun 28 - - 01:09 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor s/n 340 / Agena D s/n 1151. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-1.

KH-4 9038 Spacecraft: KH-4. Payload: KH-4 s/n 9038 / Agena D 1151. Mass: 1,150 kg.
KH-4; film capsule recovered 4.1 days later. Severe corona static.
SRV 592 Spacecraft: KH-4.

1962 Aug 2 - - 00:17 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor s/n 344 / Agena D s/n 1152. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-1.

KH-4 9041 Spacecraft: KH-4. Payload: KH-4 s/n 9041 / Agena D 1152. Mass: 1,150 kg.
KH-4; film capsule recovered 4.1 days later. Severe corona and radiation fog.
SRV 595 Spacecraft: KH-4.

1962 Aug 29 - - 01:00 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor s/n 349 / Agena D s/n 1153. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-2.

KH-4 9044 Spacecraft: KH-4. Payload: KH-4 s/n 9044 / Agena D 1153. Mass: 1,150 kg.
KH-4; film capsule recovered 4.1 days later. Erratic vehicle attitude. Radiation fog minimal.
SRV 596 Spacecraft: KH-4.

1962 Sep 29 - - 23:34 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor s/n 351 / Agena D s/n 1154. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-2.

KH-4 9045 Spacecraft: KH-4. Payload: KH-4 s/n 9045 / Agena D 1154. Mass: 1,150 kg.
KH-4. First use of stellar camera, erratic vehicle attitude, numerous light leaks.
SRV 598 Spacecraft: KH-4.

1962 Oct 26 - - 16:14 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor s/n 353 / Agena D s/n 1401. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-2.

Starfish Radiation 1 Spacecraft: Starfish. Payload: Star-Rad 1 / Agena D 1401. Mass: 1,100 kg.
Artificial radiation data.

1962 Dec 4 - - 21:30 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor s/n 361 / Agena D s/n 1155. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-2.

KH-4 9049 Spacecraft: KH-4. Payload: KH-4 s/n 9049 / Agena D 1155. Mass: 1,150 kg.
KH-4. Mission failed. During air catch chute tore, capsule sank.
SRV 606 Spacecraft: KH-4.

1962 Dec 13 - - 04:07 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor s/n 365 / Agena D s/n 2351. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-1.

SURCAL 2A Spacecraft: SURCAL. Payload: NRL PL121. Mass: 3 kg.
Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
Injun 3 Spacecraft: Injun. Mass: 52 kg.
Radiation decay data. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
Black Sphere Spacecraft: NRL ELINT. Payload: NRL PL120. Mass: 23 kg.
Identified by McDowell as probable NRL ELINT satellite.
SURCAL 1A Spacecraft: SURCAL. Mass: 37 kg.
Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
Calsphere 1A Spacecraft: NRL ELINT. Payload: NRL ELINT. Mass: 23 kg.
Identified by McDowell as probable NRL ELINT satellite.

1962 Dec 14 - - 21:26 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor s/n 368 / Agena D s/n 1156. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-5.

KH-4 9050 Spacecraft: KH-4. Payload: KH-4 s/n 9050 / Agena D 1156. Mass: 1,150 kg.
KH-4; film capsule recovered 4.1 days later. Best mission to date.
SRV 607 Spacecraft: KH-4.

1963 Jan 7 - - 21:09 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor s/n 369 / Agena D s/n 1157. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-1.

KH-4 9051 Spacecraft: KH-4. Payload: KH-4 s/n 9051 / Agena D 1157. Mass: 1,150 kg.
KH-4. Erratic vehicle attitude. Frame ephemeris not created.
SRV 608 Spacecraft: KH-4.

1963 Apr 1 - - 23:01 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor s/n 376 / Agena D s/n 1160. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-5.

KH-4 9053 Spacecraft: KH-4. Payload: KH-4 s/n 9053 / Agena D 1160. Mass: 1,150 kg.
KH-4; film capsule recovered 3.1 days later. Best imagery to date.
SRV 609 Spacecraft: KH-4.

1963 Apr 26 - - 20:13 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor s/n 372 / Agena D s/n 1411. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-1. FAILURE: Failure.

SRV 605 Spacecraft: KH-5.
KH-5 9055A Spacecraft: KH-5. Payload: KH-5 s/n 9055A. Mass: 1,500 kg.
Mission failed.

1963 Jun 15 - - 14:29 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor s/n 378 / Agena D s/n 2353. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-1.

SURCAL 1B Spacecraft: SURCAL. Mass: 3 kg.
Surveillance Calibration. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
USN satellite Spacecraft: NRL ELINT. Payload: NRL PL130?. Mass: 35 kg.
Identified by McDowell as probable NRL ELINT satellite.
RADOSE 112 Spacecraft: RADOSE. Payload: NRL PL 112. Mass: 25 kg.
Radiation dosimeter measurements. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
Solrad 6A Spacecraft: GRAB. Mass: 39 kg.
Solar radiation data. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
Lofti 2A Spacecraft: Lofti. Mass: 26 kg.
VLF experiments. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1963 Jul 18 - - 00:00 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor s/n 388 / Agena D s/n 1412. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-1.

KH-4 9057 Spacecraft: KH-4. Payload: KH-4 s/n 9057 / Agena D 1412. Mass: 1,150 kg.
KH-4. Best mission to date.
SRV 624 Spacecraft: KH-4.

1963 Aug 29 - - 20:31 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2A s/n 394 / Agena D s/n 1169. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-5.

KH-4 9033 Spacecraft: KH-4. Payload: KH-4 s/n 9033 & Lampo / Agena D 1169. Mass: 1,000 kg.
KH-5; deployed ELINT subsatellite. Considered to be best mission to date in Argon program.
LAMPO Spacecraft: KH-4. Payload: 0.1 Square Meter Target.
Radar monitoring. Not identified as a subsatellite ferret by McDowell.
SRV 604 Spacecraft: KH-4.

1963 Nov 9 - - 20:27 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2A s/n 400 / Agena D s/n 1171. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-2. FAILURE: Control lost after 138 sec. No orbit.

KH-4 9060 Spacecraft: KH-4. Payload: KH-4 s/n 9060. Mass: 1,150 kg.
KH-4. Mission failed.
SRV 632 Spacecraft: KH-4.

1963 Nov 27 - - 21:15 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2A s/n 406 / Agena D s/n 1172. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC1-1.

KH-4 9061 Spacecraft: KH-4. Payload: KH-4 s/n 9061 / Agena D 1172. Mass: 1,150 kg.
KH-4. Mission failed. Return capsule separated from satellite but remained in orbit.
SRV 637 Spacecraft: KH-4.

1964 Jan 11 - LV Configuration: Thor 2A s/n 390 / Agena D s/n 2354. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-5.

Agena D 2354 Spacecraft: Ferret. Mass: 700 kg.
Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
SECOR 1 Spacecraft: SECOR. Payload: EGRS 1. Mass: 18 kg.
Located Pacific islands. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
Solrad 7A; NRL Solar Rad Spacecraft: GRAB. Payload: GRAB 5. Mass: 45 kg.
Solar radiation data. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
Unidentified Spacecraft: NRL ELINT. Payload: NRL PL135. Mass: 40 kg.
Identified by McDowell as probable NRL ELINT satellite.
GGSE 1 Spacecraft: GGSE. Mass: 39 kg.
Gravity gradient stabilization tests. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1964 Jan 19 - - 10:59 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2A s/n 384 / Agena D s/n 2303. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-2.

OPS 3367A Spacecraft: AFP-43. Payload: DAPP. Mass: 130 kg.
Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
OPS 3367B Spacecraft: AFP-43. Payload: DAPP. Mass: 130 kg.
Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1964 Jun 18 - - 04:56 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2A s/n 407 / Agena D s/n 2304. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-4.

OPS 4467A Spacecraft: AFP-43. Payload: DAPP. Mass: 130 kg.
Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
OPS 4467B Spacecraft: AFP-43. Payload: DAPP. Mass: 130 kg.

1965 Mar 9 - - 18:29 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2A s/n 419 / Agena D SS-01A s/n 2701. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-1-2.

GGSE 3 Spacecraft: GGSE. Mass: 4 kg.
Gravity gradient stabilization tests. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
DODECAPOLE 1/Porcupine 1 Spacecraft: DODECAPOLE. Payload: Dodecapole 1. Mass: 4 kg.
Surveillance calibration. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
SURCAL 2B Spacecraft: SURCAL. Mass: 5 kg.
Surveillance Calibration. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
Oscar 3 Spacecraft: Oscar. Mass: 14 kg.
OSCAR III was launched piggyback with seven United States Air Force satellites. Weight 16.3 kg. It was the first amateur satellite to operate from solar power and relay signals from Earth. OSCAR III was the first true amateur satellite relaying voice contacts in the VHF 2 meter band through a 1 W 50 kHz wide linear transponder (146 MHz uplink and 144 MHz downlink). OSCAR III's transponder lasted 18 days. More than 1000 amateurs in 22 countries communicated through the linear transponder. The two beacon transmitters continued operating for several months.
Note: Designed, built, and tested, a predecssor, OSCAR* was never launched. Similar in design to OSCAR I and II, OSCAR* contained a 250 mW beacon with phase-coherent keying. OSCAR* was never launched as the workers decided to focus their efforts on the first relay satellite -- OSCAR III.
SECOR 3 Spacecraft: SECOR. Payload: EGRS 3. Mass: 18 kg.
Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
Solrad 7B Spacecraft: GRAB. Payload: GRAB 6. Mass: 47 kg.
Solar radiation monitoring. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
Solrad 6B Spacecraft: NRL ELINT. Payload: NRL PL 142. Mass: 40 kg.
Identified by McDowell as probable NRL ELINT satellite.
GGSE 2 Spacecraft: GGSE. Mass: 4 kg.
Gravity gradient stabilization tests. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1965 Sep 2 - - 20:00 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2A s/n 401 / Agena D SS-01A s/n 1602. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: LC75-3-5. FAILURE: Agena-D failed; destroyed by range safety.

Starfish Radiation 2 Spacecraft: Starfish. Payload: OPS 3373 / FTV 1602. Mass: 1,150 kg.
Artificial radiation data.

1967 May 31 - - 09:30 GMT. LV Configuration: Thor 2A s/n 443 / Agena D SS-01B s/n 2704. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC2W.

Surcal (152) Spacecraft: Surcal. Payload: NRL PL152. Mass: 4 kg.
Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
Timation 1 Spacecraft: Timation. Mass: 700 kg.
Navigation experiments. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
SURCAL 150B Spacecraft: SURCAL. Payload: NRL PL150B. Mass: 2 kg.
16 inch dia. calibration sphere. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
Surcal (153) Spacecraft: Surcal. Payload: NRL PL153.
Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
Calsphere 4 Spacecraft: Calsphere. Payload: Agena D 2704.
Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
Surcal 160 Spacecraft: Surcal. Payload: NRL PL160 / Agena D 2704. Mass: 2 kg.
20 inch dia. calibration sphere. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
GGSE 4 Spacecraft: GGSE. Payload: NRL PL151?. Mass: 4 kg.
Gravity gradient stabilization tests. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
Calsphere 3 Spacecraft: Calsphere. Payload: NRL PL159. Mass: 38 kg.
Surveillance Calibration. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).
GGSE 5 Spacecraft: GGSE. Payload: NRL PL154?. Mass: 4 kg.
Gravity gradient stabilization tests. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

1968 Jan 17 - Launch Site: Vandenberg .

Final launch of a Thrust-Augmented-Thor/Agena
Final launch of a Thrust-Augmented-Thor/Agena space booster from Vandenberg (first launch on 28 February 1963).

Bibliography:

45 - Koelle, Heinz Hermann,, Handbook of Astronautical Engineering, McGraw-Hill,New York, 1961.

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Last update 12 March 2001.
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