LT Thor Agena D

Thor Agena upgraded with Long Tank Thor stage. Variant with straight tank from Delta was Thorad (Long Tank Augmented Thrust Thor Delta)

3 stage vehicle consisting of 3 x Castor 2 + 1 x LT Thor DSV-2L-1A + 1 x Agena D

Manufacturer: Douglas. Launches: 13. Failures: 1. Success Rate: 92.31%. First Launch Date: 1969-06-05. Last Launch Date: 1972-05-25. Launch data is: complete. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Associated Spacecraft: Ferret, KH-4B, OGO, SSF. Liftoff Thrust: 1,571.000 kN (353,174 lbf). Total Mass: 88,731 kg (195,618 lb). Core Diameter: 2.44 m (8.00 ft). Total Length: 34.00 m (111.00 ft). Flyaway Unit Cost $: 22.170 million. in: 1985 unit dollars.

1969 June 5 - 14:42 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2. Launch Pad: SLC2E. Launch Vehicle: Thorad Agena D SLV-2H. Model: Thorad SLV-2H Agena D. LV Configuration: Thorad SLV-2H Agena D 526 (TA11) / Agena D 6803 (T.

• OGO 6 Nation: USA. Payload: OGO F. Mass: 634 kg (1,397 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere. Spacecraft: OGO. Agency: NASA GSF. Perigee: 397 km (246 mi). Apogee: 1,089 km (676 mi). Inclination: 82.00 deg. Period: 99.70 min. COSPAR: 1969-051A. USAF Sat Cat: 3986. Decay Date: 1979-10-12. OGO 6 was a large observatory instrumented with 26 experiments designed to study the various interrelationships between, and latitudinal distributions of, high-altitude atmospheric parameters during a period of increased solar activity. On June 22, 1969, the spacecraft potential dropped significantly during sunlight operation and remained so during subsequent sunlight operation. This unexplained shift affected seven experiments which made measurements dependent upon knowledge of the spacecraft plasma sheath. During October 1969, a string of solar cells failed, but the only effect of the decreased power was to cause two experiments to change their mode of operation. Also during October 1969, a combination of manual and automatic attitude control was initiated, which extended the control gas lifetime of the attitude control system. In August 1970, tape recorder (TR) no. 1 operation degraded, so all recorded data were subsequently taken with TR no. 2. By September 1970, power and equipment degradation left 14 experiments operating normally, 3 partially, and 9 off. From October 14, 1970, TR no. 2 was used only on Wednesdays (world days) to conserve power and extend TR operation. In June 1971, the number of 'on' experiments decreased from 13 to 7, and on June 28, 1971, the spacecraft was placed in a spin-stabilized mode about the yaw (Z) axis and turned off due to difficulties with spacecraft power. OGO 6 was turned on again from October 10, 1971, through March 1972, for operation of experiment 25 by The Radio Research Laboratory, Japan.References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• KH-4B 1107 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-4B s/n 1107 / Agena D 1652. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-4B. Agency: NRO/CIA. Perigee: 182 km (113 mi). Apogee: 203 km (126 mi). Inclination: 74.90 deg. Period: 88.40 min. COSPAR: 1969-063A. USAF Sat Cat: 4050. Decay Date: 1969-08-23. KH-4B. Forward camera failed on pass 1 and remained inoperative throughout the rest of the mission. References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• KH-4B 1108 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-4B s/n 1108 / Agena D 1655. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-4B. Agency: NRO/CIA. Perigee: 161 km (100 mi). Apogee: 229 km (142 mi). Inclination: 81.40 deg. Period: 88.40 min. COSPAR: 1969-105A. USAF Sat Cat: 4264. Decay Date: 1970-01-10. KH-4B. Cameras operated satisfactorily and the mission carried 811 ft of aerial color film added to the end of the film supply. References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• KH-4B 1109 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-4B s/n 1109 / Agena D 1657. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-4B. Agency: NRO/CIA. Perigee: 167 km (103 mi). Apogee: 257 km (159 mi). Inclination: 88.00 deg. Period: 88.80 min. COSPAR: 1970-016A. USAF Sat Cat: 4342. Decay Date: 1970-03-26. KH-4B. Cameras operated satisfactorily but the overall image quality of both the forward and aft records is variable. References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• SRV 819 Nation: USA. Payload: SRV 1109-1. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Spacecraft: KH-4B. Agency: NRO/USAF. Perigee: 441 km (274 mi). Apogee: 509 km (316 mi). Inclination: 88.10 deg. Period: 94.10 min. COSPAR: 1970-016B. USAF Sat Cat: 4343. Decay Date: 1971-11-10. Radar monitoring; may or may not have existed!!! References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 172.

• OPS 3402 Nation: USA. Payload: EHH B18. Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: SSF. Agency: USAF. COSPAR: 1970-016xx. USAF Sat Cat: 4343. Decay Date: 1971-11-10. References: 279.

• KH-4B 1110 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-4B s/n 1110 / Agena D 1656. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-4B. Agency: NRO/CIA. Perigee: 162 km (100 mi). Apogee: 247 km (153 mi). Inclination: 83.00 deg. Period: 88.60 min. COSPAR: 1970-040A. USAF Sat Cat: 4405. Decay Date: 1970-06-17. KH-4B. The overall image quality is less than that provided by recent missions and 2,000 feet of S0-349 References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• OPS 8520 Nation: USA. Payload: EHH B19. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: SSF. Agency: NRO/USAF. Perigee: 490 km (300 mi). Apogee: 499 km (310 mi). Inclination: 83.10 deg. Period: 94.50 min. COSPAR: 1970-040B. USAF Sat Cat: 4406. Decay Date: 1974-03-08. Radar monitoring; may or may not have existed!!!. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 172.

• KH-4B 1111 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-4B s/n 1111 / Agena D 1654. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-4B. Agency: NRO/CIA. Perigee: 156 km (96 mi). Apogee: 379 km (235 mi). Inclination: 59.90 deg. Period: 89.80 min. COSPAR: 1970-054A. USAF Sat Cat: 4477. Decay Date: 1970-08-19. KH-4B. The overall image quality is good. References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• KH-4B 1112 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-4B s/n 1112 / Agena D 1658. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-4B. Agency: NRO/CIA. Perigee: 180 km (110 mi). Apogee: 227 km (141 mi). Inclination: 82.90 deg. Period: 88.50 min. COSPAR: 1970-098A. USAF Sat Cat: 4721. Decay Date: 1970-12-11. KH-4B. The forward camera failed on pass 104 and remained inoperative throughout the rest of the mission. References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• SRV 827 Nation: USA. Payload: SRV 1112-1. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Spacecraft: KH-4B. Agency: NRO/USAF. Perigee: 493 km (306 mi). Apogee: 505 km (313 mi). Inclination: 83.10 deg. Period: 94.60 min. COSPAR: 1970-098B. USAF Sat Cat: 4722. Decay Date: 1977-09-14. Radar monitoring. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 172.

• OPS 6829 Nation: USA. Payload: EHH B20. Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: SSF. Agency: USAF. COSPAR: 1970-098xx. USAF Sat Cat: 4722. Decay Date: 1977-09-14. References: 279.

• KH-4B 1113 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-4B s/n 1113. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-4B. Agency: U.S. Air Force. COSPAR: F710217A. Decay Date: 1971-02-17. KH-4B. The launch vehicle had a very cold boattail due to a hose discovered to be leaking away warming air to the boattail. The boattail was colder than usual, below freezing. Based on earlier tests of the Thor for just that condition, as relayed by Ed Dierdorf, Thor chief engineer at the time, the temp low was of no concern.

  The only problem was that those tests were made with a Thor that carried a Rocketdyne engine lubricated with "lube oil". The Thor being launched used a fuel additive, "Orinite" (like STP "super snot"). The technician that pumped the Orinite into its cannister later stated, "It wasn't for lack of orinite. I put it in just like the procedure said, and I could feel when it was full (with the hand pump). To make sure, I gave it another slug."

  That "other slug" cracked the output valve that was only supposed to be cracked by turbopump output pressure. When it cracked the output valve a bit of the "honey" squirted down the tube toward engine bearing jets. This line had a low spot in it by design. The Orinite settled there. When it was chilled by the low temp air at lox loading, the Orinite formed a plug.

  Unaware of this chain of circumstances, Launch Director Philip Payne made the decision to launch. The rocket (carrying Agena D and payload) flew for 18 seconds, then wiped out its gears, causing the turbine to overspeed and shed its vanes. These punctured various parts in the boattail like machine gun bullets. With loss of power, the rocket fell not far from the launch pad into Bear Creek canyon.

  The final cause was therefore found to be loss of engine lubrication at startup.References: 5, 126, 498.

• SRV 825 Nation: USA. Payload: SRV 1113-1. Spacecraft: KH-4B. Agency: USAF. COSPAR: F710217B. References: 279.

• SRV 826 Nation: USA. Payload: SRV 1113-2. Spacecraft: KH-4B. Agency: USAF. COSPAR: F710217C. References: 279.

• KH-4B 1114 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-4B s/n 1114 / Agena D 1660. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-4B. Agency: NRO/CIA. Perigee: 156 km (96 mi). Apogee: 245 km (152 mi). Inclination: 81.50 deg. Period: 88.40 min. COSPAR: 1971-022A. USAF Sat Cat: 5059. Decay Date: 1971-04-12. KH-4B. The overall image quality is good and comparable to the best of past missions. On-board program failed References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• OPS 8373 Nation: USA. Payload: Ferret 16 / Agena D 2737?. Mass: 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Ferret. Agency: NRO/USAF. Perigee: 450 km (270 mi). Apogee: 460 km (280 mi). Inclination: 74.90 deg. Period: 93.60 min. COSPAR: 1971-060A. USAF Sat Cat: 5329. Decay Date: 1978-08-31. References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• KH-4B 1115 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-4B s/n 1115 / Agena D 1662. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-4B. Agency: NRO/CIA. Perigee: 157 km (97 mi). Apogee: 234 km (145 mi). Inclination: 74.90 deg. Period: 88.30 min. COSPAR: 1971-076A. USAF Sat Cat: 5468. Decay Date: 1971-10-05. KH-4B. Overall image quality is good. References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• SRV 831 Nation: USA. Payload: SRV 1115-1. Mass: 60 kg (132 lb). Spacecraft: KH-4B. Agency: NRO/USAF. Perigee: 489 km (303 mi). Apogee: 516 km (320 mi). Inclination: 75.00 deg. Period: 94.70 min. COSPAR: 1971-076B. USAF Sat Cat: 5469. Decay Date: 1976-02-03. Radar monitoring. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 172.

• OPS 7681 Nation: USA. Payload: EHH B21. Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: SSF. Agency: USAF. COSPAR: 1971-076xx. USAF Sat Cat: 5469. Decay Date: 1976-02-03. References: 279.

• KH-4B 1116 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-4B s/n 1116 / Agena D 1661. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-4B. Agency: NRO/CIA. Perigee: 154 km (95 mi). Apogee: 276 km (171 mi). Inclination: 81.00 deg. Period: 88.80 min. COSPAR: 1972-032A. USAF Sat Cat: 6003. Decay Date: 1972-05-12. KH-4B. Very successful mission and image quality was good. References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• KH-4B 1117 Nation: USA. Payload: KH-4B s/n 1117 / Agena D 1663. Mass: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: KH-4B. Agency: NRO/CIA. Perigee: 158 km (98 mi). Apogee: 305 km (189 mi). Inclination: 96.30 deg. Period: 89.20 min. COSPAR: 1972-039A. USAF Sat Cat: 6037. Decay Date: 1972-06-04. KH-4B. Last KH-4B mission. Very successful mission, image quality was good. Final CORONA mission. References: 1, 2, 5, 6.

• McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.

• Isakowitz, Steven J,, International Reference to Space Launch Systems Second Edition, AIAA, Washington DC, 1991 (succeeded by 2000 edition). ISBN: 1563473534. Superseded by the later editions. More at amazon.com...