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Thor-Agena B Launch Vehicle

Thor-Agena B paired a standard short-tank Thor with the larger restartable Agena B. NASA used this configuration for Alouette 1, Echo 2, Nimbus 1, and the Alouette 2/Explorer 31 dual launch, while the Air Force used it extensively for Discoverer and related missions. Agena B's enlarged tanks and restart capability increased payload and orbital-insertion flexibility over Agena A.

Thor-Agena B Launch Vehicle
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center · NASA asset; NASA’s 9141922 catalog identifies Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and describes the exact Thor/Able 3 launch carrying Explorer VI, with no third-party photographer or copyright holder listed. NASA’s current Images and Media Usage Guidelines generally permit factual or informational/editorial use with NASA attribution and without implying NASA endorsement. Commercial, promotional, merchandise, logo/insignia, or other protected-rights uses may require separate clearance; verify any third-party rights if later identified. · Source
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Identity

Aliases
Thor Agena BThor/Agena B
Family Name
Thor-Agena B
Full Name
Thor-Agena B Launch Vehicle
Status
retired
Type
rocket

Details

Description
Thor-Agena B paired a standard short-tank Thor with the larger restartable Agena B. NASA used this configuration for Alouette 1, Echo 2, Nimbus 1, and the Alouette 2/Explorer 31 dual launch, while the Air Force used it extensively for Discoverer and related missions. Agena B's enlarged tanks and restart capability increased payload and orbital-insertion flexibility over Agena A.
Dimensions
Diameter
…
Height
…
First Flight Year
1,960
Last Flight Year
1,966
Operator
Parent Vehicle Family
Propulsion Configurations
  • Entries
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      core
      Propulsion System
      Role
      main
      Variant Notes
      Migrated from legacy reference "Rocketdyne LR79-NA-13" without inventing a more precise installation.
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      upper
      Propulsion System
      Role
      upper-stage
Rocket Specs
Liftoff Mass
…
Payload Capacity
LEO
…
Reusability
expendable
Stages Count
2

Links

Official Url
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19880016045/downloads/19880016045.pdf

Assets & Meta

Creation Time
July 13, 2026 at 13:21:18 UTC
Updated Time
July 29, 2026 at 15:42:28 UTC
Image
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