The Thor DSV-2 was a series of sounding rockets, test vehicles, and anti-satellite weapons derived from the Thor Intermediate-range ballistic missile. It was also used as the first stage of several Thor-derived expendable launch systems.[1]
| Function | Sounding rocket Test vehicle ASAT booster |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Launch history | |
| Launch sites | CCAFS LC-17 Johnston Atoll LE-1 & LE-2 VA LC-75 |
| Total launches | 34 |
| Success(es) | 28 |
| Failure(s) | 6 |
Variants
editThor DSV-2A
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The DSV-2A was a two-stage rocket, consisting of a DSV-2A / MB-3-II first stage, and an Able-Star / AJ10-104D second stage.[2] It was launched eight times between 1963 and 1965 from Vandenberg.[2]
| S/N | Date | Launch Site | Payload | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thor 375 | 1963-09-28 | VA LC-75 | Transit 5BN-1 / Transit 5E-1 | Success |
| Thor 385 | 1963-12-05 | VA LC-75 | Transit 5BN-2 / Transit 5E-3 | Success |
| Thor 379 | 1964-04-21 | VA LC-75 | Transit 5BN-3 / Transit 5E-2 | Failure |
| Thor 423 | 1964-10-06 | VA LC-75 | Transit-O 1/ Dragsphere 1 / Dragsphere 2 | |
| Thor 427 | 1964-12-13 | VA LC-75 | Transit-O 2 / Transit 5E-5 | |
| Thor 440 | 1965-03-11 | VA LC-75 | Transit-O 3 / SECOR 2 | Partial success |
| Thor 447 | 1965-06-24 | VA LC-75 | Transit-O 4 | |
| Thor 455 | 1965-08-13 | VA LC-75 | Transit-O 5 / Dodecapole 2 / Long Rod / Tempsat 1 / Surcal 5 / Calsphere 2 |
Thor DSV-2D
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The DSV-2D was launched twice in 1962,[3] conducting suborbital research flights for the development of the Program 437 ASAT. It was a single-stage vehicle, consisting of a Thor DM-21. Launches were conducted from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 17A.
| S/N | Date | Launch Site | Payload | Orbit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thor 337 | 1962-01-15 | CCAFS LC-17A | Big Shot 1 (AVT 1) | Suborbital |
| Thor 338 | 1962-07-18 | CCAFS LC-17A | Big Shot 2 (AVT 2) | Suborbital |
Thor DSV-2E
editThe DSV-2E was a single-stage vehicle, using a Thor DM-19. It was launched eight times in 1962, including several nuclear weapons tests as part of Operation Fishbowl.[4] Four launches failed, all of which were carrying live nuclear warheads.[4] Launches were conducted from Launch Emplacements 1 and 2 on Johnston Atoll.
| S/N | Date | Launch Site | Payload | Orbit | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thor 177 | 1962-05-02 | Johnston LE-1 | Tigerfish (R/D) | Suborbital | Success |
| Thor 199 | 1962-06-04 | Johnston LE-1 | Bluegill | Suborbital | Radar contact lost 5 minutes after launch. RSO destruct command sent. |
| Thor 193 | 1962-06-20 | Johnston LE-1 | Starfish | Suborbital | RVs caused turbine exhaust gas to enter the thrust section, overheating and weakening the engine mounts. Engine broke loose and ruptured the propellant tanks T+59 seconds. Warhead destroyed by RSO T+65 seconds. |
| Thor 195 | 1962-07-09 | Johnston LE-1 | Starfish Prime | Suborbital | Success |
| Thor 180 | 1962-07-26 | Johnston LE-1 | Bluegill Prime | Suborbital | Stuck LOX valve caused loss of thrust and fire on the launch stand. Range Safety Officer destroyed the missile and warhead. Launch area extensively contaminated with plutonium. |
| Thor 156 | 1962-10-16 | Johnston LE-2 | Bluegill Double Prime | Suborbital | Flight control failure T+85 seconds. RSO T+156 seconds. |
| Thor 141 | 1962-10-26 | Johnston LE-1 | Bluegill Triple Prime | Suborbital | Success |
| Thor 226 | 1962-11-01 | Johnston LE-2 | Kingfish | Suborbital | Success |
Thor DSV-2F
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The DSV-2F was a single-stage vehicle consisting of a Thor DM-19, like the DSV-2E. Three were launched between 1963 and 1964, as part of Project ASSET,[5] which involved launching a sub-scale mockup of the X-20 Dyna-Soar to test materials for the larger spacecraft. Launches were conducted from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 17B.
| S/N | Date | Launch Site | Payload | Orbit | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thor 232 | 1963-09-18 | CCAFS LC-17B | ASSET-1 (ASSET ASV 1) | Suborbital | Success |
| Thor 260 | 1964-10-28 | CCAFS LC-17B | ASSET-4 (ASSET-AEV 1) | Suborbital | Success |
| Thor 247 | 1964-12-09 | CCAFS LC-17B | ASSET-5 (ASSET-AEV 2) | Suborbital | Success |
Thor DSV-2G
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The DSV-2G was a two-stage rocket, consisting of a Thor DM-19 first stage, and a Delta second stage. Three were launched between 1964 and 1965 as part of Project ASSET.[6] Launches were conducted from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 17B.
| S/N | Date | Launch Site | Payload | Orbit | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thor 240 | 1964-03-24 | CCAFS LC-17B | ASSET-2 (ASSET-ASV 2) | Suborbital | Atmospheric flight, second stage fired intermittently, destroyed by range safety |
| Thor 250 | 1964-07-22 | CCAFS LC-17B | ASSET-3 (ASSET-ASV 3) | Suborbital | Success |
| Thor 248 | 1965-02-23 | CCAFS LC-17B | ASSET-6 (ASSET-ASV 4) | Suborbital | Success |
Thor DSV-2J
editThe DSV-2J was an operational nuclear anti-satellite weapon. 18 were launched between 1964 and 1975.[7] Most flights were non-intercept tests of the rocket's anti-satellite capabilities, however some later launches carried research payloads. Launches were conducted from Launch Emplacements 1 and 2 on Johnston Atoll.
| S/N | Date | Launch Site | Payload | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thor 299 | 14.02.1964 | Johnston LE-1 | AFP-437 (#1) | Success |
| Thor 209 | 02.03.1964 | Johnston LE-1 | AFP-437 (#2) | Success |
| Thor 290 | 21.04.1964 | Johnston LE-2 | AFP-437 (#3) | Success |
| Thor 227 | 28.05.1964 | Johnston LE-2 | AFP-437 (#4) | Failure |
| Thor 236 | 16.11.1964 | Johnston LE-1 | AFP-437 (#5) | Success |
| Thor 155 | 05.04.1965 | Johnston LE-2 | AFP-437 (#6) | Success |
| Thor 188 | 07.12.1965 | Johnston LE-2 | AFP-437AP (#1) | Success |
| Thor 242 | 18.01.1966 | Johnston LE-2 | AFP-437AP (#2) | Success |
| Thor 196 | 12.03.1966 | Johnston LE-2 | AFP-437AP (#3) | Success |
| Thor 289 | 02.07.1966 | Johnston LE-2 | AFP-437AP (#4) | Success |
| Thor 168 | 31.03.1967 | Johnston LE-1 | AFP-437 (#7) | Success |
| Thor 205 | 14.05.1968 | Johnston LE-1 | AFP-437 (#8) | Success |
| Thor 252 | 20.11.1968 | Johnston LE-1 | AFP-437 (#9) | Success |
| Thor 152 | 27.03.1970 | Johnston LE-1 | AFP-437 (#10) | Success |
| Thor 225 | 24.04.1970 | Johnston LE-2 | SDP | Partial Success |
| Thor 271 | 24.09.1970 | Johnston LE-2 | HAP/SXRE | Success |
| Thor 201 | 19.09.1975 | Johnston LE-2 | BMDTTP 1 (DG-5) | Success |
| Thor 274 | 06.11.1975 | Johnston LE-2 | BMDTTP 2 (DG-3) | Success |
References
edit- ^ "Thor Family". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ a b "Thor-DSV2A Able-Star". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2024-09-02.
- ^ "Thor-DSV2D". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ a b "Thor-DSV2E". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ "Thor-DSV2F". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ "Thor-LV2C Delta (Thor-DSV2G Delta)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
- ^ "Thor-DSV2J". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- Wade, Mark. "Delta". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on February 28, 2002. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
- Krebs, Gunter. "Thor family". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-02-09.