List of Thor and Delta launches (1957–1959) explained

See main article: List of Thor and Delta launches.

Between 1957 and 1959, there were 79 Thor missiles launched, of which 51 were successful, giving a 64.5% success rate.

Launch statistics

Launch outcomes

1957

There were 9 Thor missiles launched in 1957. 4 of the 9 launches were successful, giving a 44.4% success rate.

Date/Time
(UTC)
RocketS/NLaunch SitePayloadFunctionOrbitOutcomeRemarks
1957-01-26Thor DM-18Thor 101CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalMaiden flight of Thor, first launch from LC-17. Contaminated LOX caused loss of thrust at liftoff. Vehicle fell back onto the pad and exploded.
1957-04-20
04:33
Thor DM-18Thor 102CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalRSO sent a mistaken destruct command at T+35 seconds due to an incorrect console readout.
1957-08-30Thor DM-18Thor 104CCAFS LC-17AMissile testSuborbitalFirst launch from LC-17A. Control malfunction led to missile breakup at T+92 seconds.
1957-09-20Thor DM-18Thor 105CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbital
1957-10-03
17:14
Thor DM-18Thor 107CCAFS LC-17AMissile testSuborbitalStuck valve prevented the gas generator from starting. Missile fell back onto the pad and exploded.
1957-10-11
16:33
Thor DM-18Thor 108CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalTurbopump failure at T+152 seconds. Flight considered a "partial success".
1957-10-24
16:32
Thor DM-18Thor 109CCAFS LC-17AMissile testSuborbital
1957-12-07
22:11
Thor DM-18Thor 112CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbital
1957-12-19
20:12
Thor DM-18Thor 113CCAFS LC-17AMissile testSuborbital

1958

There were 20 Thor missiles launched in 1958. 8 of the 20 launches were successful, giving a 40% success rate.

Date/Time
(GMT)
RocketS/NLaunch SitePayloadFunctionOrbitOutcomeRemarks
1958-01-28
20:16
Thor DM-18Thor 114CCAFS LC-17AMissile testSuborbitalElectrical malfunction led to control failure. RSO T+152 seconds.
1958-02-28
13:08
Thor DM-18Thor 120CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalPremature engine shutdown at T+109 seconds.
1958-04-19
13:30
Thor DM-18Thor 121CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalMissile lost thrust and fell back onto the pad, exploding. Suspected fuel line obstruction.
1958-04-24
00:10
Thor DM-18 AbleThor 116CCAFS LC-17ARTV testSuborbitalMaiden flight of Thor-Able. Turbopump failure T+146 seconds.
1958-06-04
21:17
Thor DM-18Thor 115CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbitalFirst launch from LC-18B
1958-06-13
15:06
Thor DM-18Thor 122CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbital
1958-07-10
15:06
Thor DM-18 AbleThor 118CCAFS LC-17ARTV testSuborbital
1958-07-13
06:36
Thor DM-18Thor 123CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalPerformance was normal through the boost phase, but the BECO and warhead separation signals were never received.
1958-07-23
22:13
Thor DM-18 AbleThor 119CCAFS LC-17ARTV testSuborbitalBiological nose cone containing a mouse. The nose cone sank into the ocean and was not recovered.
1958-07-26
06:40
Thor DM-18Thor 126CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalLOX valve malfunction led to loss of thrust and vehicle breakup at T+55 seconds
1958-08-06Thor DM-18Thor 117CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbitalFinal flight of Thor DM-18 missile
1958-08-17
12:18
Thor DM-18 Able-IThor 127CCAFS LC-17APioneer 0Lunar orbiterHigh AltitudeMaiden flight of Thor-Able I. First use of a Thor-based vehicle for an orbital launch. Turbopump failure, T+73,6 seconds.
1958-10-11
08:42:13
Thor DM-18 Able-IThor 130CCAFS LC-17APioneer 1Lunar orbiterHigh AltitudeThird stage underperformed
1958-11-05
08:53
Thor DM-18AThor 138CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalMaiden flight of Thor DM-18A. Flight control failure. RSO T+45 seconds.
1958-11-08
08:42:13
Thor DM-18 Able-I Thor 129CCAFS LC-17ALunar orbiterHigh AltitudeThird stage failed to ignite
1958-11-26
09:09
Thor DM-18AThor 140CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalLoss of guidance system power caused the missile to overshoot its target point by 22 miles.
1958-12-06
00:41
Thor DM-18AThor 145CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbitalLOX tank pressurization failure led to loss of thrust. Missile impacted 20 miles short of the target point.
1958-12-16
23:44:45
Thor DM-18AThor 151VAFB LC-75-1-1Missile testSuborbitalFirst Thor launch from Vandenberg AFB
1958-12-17
04:00
Thor DM-18AThor 146CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbital
1958-12-31
02:00
Thor DM-18AThor 138CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbitalFlight control failure. RSO T+40 seconds.

1959

There were 50 Thor missiles launched in 1959. 39 of the 50 launches were successful, giving a 78% success rate.

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Date/Time
(UTC)
RocketS/NLaunch SitePayloadFunctionOrbitOutcomeRemarks
1959-01-23Thor DM-18 Able-IIThor 128CCAFS LC-17ARVX testSuborbitalThor portion of flight successful. Staging failed due to an electrical malfunction. Vehicle fell into the Atlantic Ocean.
1959-01-30
23:53
Thor DM-18AThor 154CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbital
1959-02-28
07:58
Thor DM-18 Able-IIThor 131CCAFS LC-17ARVX testSuborbital
1959-02-28
21:49:16
Thor DM-18 Agena-AThor 163
Agena 1022
VAFB LC-75-3-4Discoverer 1ReconnaissanceLEOMaiden flight of Thor-Agena. Agena telemetry lost T+730 seconds. Fate of the payload unknown, but generally presumed to have impacted somewhere in Antarctica.
1959-03-21
06:19
Thor DM-18 Able-IIThor 132CCAFS LC-17ARVX testSuborbital
1959-03-22
00:58
Thor DM-18AThor 158CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbital
1959-03-27
04:02
Thor DM-18AThor 162CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbital
1959-04-08
06:35
Thor DM-18 Able-IIThor 133CCAFS LC-17ARVX testSuborbital
1959-04-13
21:18:39
Thor DM-18 Agena-AThor 170
Agena 1018
VAFB LC-75-3-4Discoverer 2ReconnaissanceLEO
1959-04-16
20:46
Thor DM-18AThor 161VAFB LC-75-2-8Missile testSuborbital
1959-04-23
05:30
Thor DM-18AThor 176CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbital
1959-04-25
05:00
Thor DM-18AThor 164CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbital
1959-05-12
17:35
Thor DM-18AThor 187CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbital
1959-05-21
06:40
Thor DM-18 Able-IIThor 135CCAFS LC-17ARVX testSuborbital
1959-05-23
02:42
Thor DM-18AThor 184CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbital
1959-06-03
20:09:20
Thor DM-18 Agena-AThor 174
Agena 1020
VAFB LC-75-3-4Discoverer 3ReconnaissanceLEOAgena attitude control malfunction pointed the stage in the wrong direction, sending it into the Pacific Ocean rather than orbit.
1959-06-11
06:44
Thor DM-18 Able-IIThor 137CCAFS LC-17ARVX testSuborbital
1959-06-16
21:45
Thor DM-18AThor 191VAFB LC-75-2-7Missile testSuborbitalPitch and roll program failed to initiate. RSO T+50 seconds.
1959-06-25
22:47:45
Thor DM-18 Agena-AThor 179
Agena 1023
VAFB LC-75-3-5Discoverer 4ReconnaissanceLEOAgena developed insufficient thrust to attain orbital velocity.
1959-06-26Thor DM-18AThor 198CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbital
1959-06-30
02:37
Thor DM-18AThor 194CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbital
1959-07-21
07:33
Thor DM-18AThor 203CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbitalPitch and roll program failed to initiate. RSO T+40 seconds.
1959-07-24
12:47
Thor DM-18AThor 202CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbital
1959-08-03
21:41
Thor DM-18AThor 175VAFB LC-75-1-1Missile testSuborbital
1959-08-06
02:48
Thor DM-18AThor 208CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbital
1959-08-07
14:24:20
Thor DM-18 Able-IIIThor 134CCAFS LC-17AExplorer 6RadiationHEO
1959-08-13
19:00:08
Thor DM-18 Agena-AThor 192
Agena 1029
VAFB LC-75-3-4Discoverer 5ReconnaissanceLEO
1959-08-14
09:00
Thor DM-18AThor 204CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbital
1959-08-14
19:36:04
Thor DM-18AThor 190VAFB LC-75-2-6Missile testSuborbitalPremature propellant depletion. Planned range not achieved.
1959-08-19
19:24:44
Thor DM-18 Agena-AThor 200
Agena 1028
VAFB LC-75-3-5Discoverer 6ReconnaissanceLEO
1959-08-27
12:30
Thor DM-18AThor 216CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbital
1959-09-12Thor DM-18AThor 217CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbital
1959-09-17
14:34
Thor DM-18 Able-IIThor 136CCAFS LC-17ATransit 1ANavigationLEOThird stage malfunctioned
1959-09-17
21:09
Thor DM-18AThor 228VAFB LC-75-1-2Missile testSuborbital
1959-09-22
18:00
Thor DM-18AThor 222CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbital
1959-10-06
16:41
Thor DM-18AThor 235CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbital
1959-10-06
18:26
Thor DM-18AThor 239VAFB LC-75-2-8Missile testSuborbital
1959-10-14
04:15
Thor DM-18AThor 221CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbital
1959-10-21
22:57
Thor DM-18AThor 220VAFB LC-75-1-1Missile testSuborbital
1959-10-29
02:12
Thor DM-18AThor 230CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbital
1959-11-03Thor DM-18AThor 238CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbital
1959-11-07
20:28:41
Thor DM-18 Agena-AThor 206
Agena 1051
VAFB LC-75-3-4Discoverer 7ReconnaissanceLEO
1959-11-12
19:24
Thor DM-18AThor 181VAFB LC-75-1-2Missile testSuborbital
1959-11-19Thor DM-18AThor 244CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbital
1959-11-20
19:25:24
Thor DM-18 Agena-AThor 212
Agena 1050
VAFB LC-75-3-5Discoverer 8ReconnaissanceLEOOrbit too eccentric for use of return capsule
1959-12-01
17:00
Thor DM-18AThor 254CCAFS LC-18BMissile testSuborbital
1959-12-02
05:29
Thor DM-18AThor 265VAFB LC-75-1-1Missile testSuborbital
1959-12-15
02:14
Thor DM-18AThor 185VAFB LC-75-1-2Missile testSuborbitalFlight control failure. Missile broke up T+60 seconds.
1959-12-17Thor DM-18AThor 255CCAFS LC-17BMissile testSuborbital