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Thorad-Agena D Launch Vehicle

Thorad-Agena D paired the stretched long-tank Thorad first stage and three solid strap-on motors with Agena D. The longer propellant tanks increased Thor burn time by about 65 seconds and raised payload capability. NASA first attempted the configuration with Nimbus B and SECOR in 1968 and later used Thorad-Agena vehicles for OGO 6, Nimbus 3 and 4, and SERT II.

Thorad-Agena D 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
Long-Tank Thrust-Augmented Thor-Agena DLong Tank Thor-Agena DThorad Agena D
Family Name
Thorad-Agena D
Full Name
Thorad-Agena D Launch Vehicle
Status
retired
Type
rocket

Details

Description
Thorad-Agena D paired the stretched long-tank Thorad first stage and three solid strap-on motors with Agena D. The longer propellant tanks increased Thor burn time by about 65 seconds and raised payload capability. NASA first attempted the configuration with Nimbus B and SECOR in 1968 and later used Thorad-Agena vehicles for OGO 6, Nimbus 3 and 4, and SERT II.
Dimensions
Diameter
…
Height
…
First Flight Year
1,966
Last Flight Year
1,972
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
      3
      Placement
      booster
      Propulsion System
      Role
      booster
    • 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 13:21:35 UTC
Updated Time
July 29, 2026 at 15:42:34 UTC
Image
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