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Author
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Topic: ULA: 50th anniversary of Thor/Delta
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-25-2007 09:12 PM
   
From the United Launch Alliance website via Ben Cooper:  quote:
The Delta program marks an important anniversary this week. On Jan. 25, 1957, the first Thor intermediate range ballistic missile launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. Douglas Aircraft Corporation built Thor for the Air Force in an effort to counter Soviet military expansion. Delta traces its ancestry directly back to Thor. Early NASA space launch vehicles were called Thor/Delta with the booster common to that used on Thor/Agena. The Delta contribution was the second stage and the fairing. Atlas will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year as well.
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Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 01-25-2007 10:03 PM
Although the first Thor flight ended in failure just six 'inches' after launch, it is interesting to note that in 21 days a Delta 2 will launch from the very same pad 17B with THEMIS. 50 years of history from that pad. |
art540
Member Posts: 432
From: Orange, California USA
Registered: Sep 2006
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posted 01-25-2007 10:36 PM
This year is also the 50th year for Jupiter, Atlas and Vanguard. There will be a 50th anniversary reunion in San Diego on July 21st for the Atlas program.[Edited by art540 (January 25, 2007).] |
hlbjr
Member Posts: 475
From: Delray Beach Florida USA
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 01-26-2007 08:18 AM
Just curious why Pad 18 was used for some Thor launches but the majority were from Pad 17? Was it because Pad 18 was used for "tactical" launches whereas Pad 17 was used for "space" launches?Harvey Brown |
art540
Member Posts: 432
From: Orange, California USA
Registered: Sep 2006
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posted 01-26-2007 08:45 AM
LC-18B was for the "tactical" or IOC launches as well as LC-17B. The real tactical flights after the R&D program were at VAFB where there had no gantry. Just a quick erection and countdown and launch. After Thor departed in 1960 Blue Scouts started using 18B.
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art540
Member Posts: 432
From: Orange, California USA
Registered: Sep 2006
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posted 01-27-2007 01:34 PM
As a note to evolution of Thor there was the Thor-Able 2 stage and 3 stage variants of which 16 flew prior to Thor-Delta. Technically the Thor-Delta flight history is understated by these 16 earlier missiles since the Thor-Delta had a minimal upgrade applied and it was essentially an improved Thor-Able. The name change might have been initiated by NASA but the facts remain. |
art540
Member Posts: 432
From: Orange, California USA
Registered: Sep 2006
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posted 02-02-2007 02:24 PM
No feedback on the 16 "early" Thor-Deltas
being omitted from the flight history? The Thor-Agena B was a "major" change over the A model but the A model is part of the Thor-Agena flight history: 185 total in 159 months. Now that is a launch rate! Step aside Delta. |
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