Thor-Agena

A Thor-Agena launch vehicle, ready to launch the Discoverer 37 (KH-3) spacecraft, 13 January 1962
FunctionExpendable launch system
Country of originUnited States
Size
HeightThor-Agena A: 28 m (92 ft)
Thor-Agena B: 31 m (102 ft)
Thor-Agena D: 31 m (102 ft)
Diameter2.44 m (8 ft 0 in)
MassThor-Agena A: 53,130 kg (117,130 lb)
Thor-Agena B: 56,507 kg (124,577 lb)
Thor-Agena D: 56,507 kg (124,577 lb)
Stages2
Launch history
StatusRetired
Launch sitesVandenberg Air Force Base
Total launches145
First flight21 January 1959
Last flight17 January 1968

Thor-Agena was a series of orbital launch vehicles.[1] The launch vehicles used the Douglas-built Thor first stage and the Lockheed-built Agena second stages. They are thus cousins of the more-famous Thor-Deltas, which founded the Delta rocket family. The first attempted launch of a Thor-Agena was in January 1959. The first successful launch was on 28 February 1959, launching Discoverer 1. It was the first two-stage launch vehicle to place a satellite into orbit.

  1. ^ Krebs, Gunter D. "Thor Agena". Gunter's Space Page.