 Launch of the last Thor DSV-2U carrying DMSP-5D1 F5 | |
| Function | Expendable launch system |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | Vandenberg SLC-10W |
| Total launches | 5 |
| Success(es) | 4 |
| Failure(s) | 1 |
| First flight | September 11 1976 |
| Last flight | July 15 1980 |
The Thor DSV-2U or Thor LV-2F Star-37XE Star-37S-ISS was an American expendable launch system used to launch five DMSP weather satellites between 1976 and 1980.[1] It was a member of the Thor family of rockets, and a derivative of the Thor DSV-2.[1][2]
The first stage was a Thor missile in the DM-19 configuration. A Star-37XE was used as the second stage, and the third stage was a Star-37S-ISS. All five launches were conducted from Space Launch Complex 10W at the Vandenberg Air Force Base. The final launch on July 15, 1980 (UTC) of a DMSP 5D satellite failed.
Thor boosters launched from SLC-10W used an erector system to hoist them up to the pad. While common on Soviet launch vehicles, this method was unusual in the US space program.