Thor-Able Launch Vehicle Family
Thor-Able combined a Douglas Thor first stage with the Aerojet Able liquid-propellant upper stage derived from Vanguard and, for some missions, a solid third stage. First developed for full-range reentry tests, Thor-Able configurations launched the first U.S. lunar attempts, Explorer 6, Pioneer 5, and TIROS 1 between 1958 and 1960.
Identity
- Aliases
- Thor AbleThor/Able
- Family Name
- Thor-Able
- Full Name
- Thor-Able Launch Vehicle Family
- Reusability
- expendable
- Slug
- thor-able-launch-vehicle-family
- Status
- retired
- Type
- rocket
Details
- Description
- Thor-Able combined a Douglas Thor first stage with the Aerojet Able liquid-propellant upper stage derived from Vanguard and, for some missions, a solid third stage. First developed for full-range reentry tests, Thor-Able configurations launched the first U.S. lunar attempts, Explorer 6, Pioneer 5, and TIROS 1 between 1958 and 1960.
- Diameter M
- 2.44
- First Flight Year
- 1,958
- Last Flight Year
- 1,960
- Parent Vehicle Family Id
- nd7sak9850nkethtv2wrrczagd8afskd
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- 7/13/2026, 12:53:14 PM
- Updated Time
- 7/13/2026, 12:53:14 PM