Thor-Agena

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A Thor Agena, ready to launch the SERT-2 (Space Electric Rocket Test-2) spacecraft, February 4, 1970

See also: Thor (launch vehicle)

Thor-Agena was a series of orbital launch vehicles. The rockets used Thor first stages and 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 February 28, 1959, launching Discoverer-1.

[edit] Uses

Among other uses, the clandestine Corona program used Thor-Agenas from June 1959 until May 1972 to launch US military reconnaissance satellites operated by the CIA. In 1962, for example, Thor-Agena launch vehicles were used in 24 launch attempts now known to have been part of satellite surveillance programs.

Also, Alouette 1, Canada's first satellite, was launched on a Thor-Agena-B.

[edit] Versions

Thor-Agena-A

• 16 launches between 21 Jan 1959 and 13 Sep 1960

Thor-Agena-B

• First successful launch: Nov 12, 1960 with Discoverer 17
• Last launch: May 15, 1966 with Nimbus 2

Thor-Agena-D

• First launch: Jun 28, 1962
• Last launch: Jan 17, 1968

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