Thor-Burner
 Thor-Burner rocket | |
| Function | Expendable launch system |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Douglas |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Size | |
| Height | 23m (75 ft) |
| Diameter | 2.44m (8 ft) |
| Mass | 50,000kg (110,000 lb) |
| Stages | 2-3 |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | Vandenberg AFB, LC-4300, LE-6, SLC-10W |
| Total launches | 24 |
| Successes | 22 |
| Failures | 2 |
| First flight | 20 May 1965 |
| Last flight | 19 February 1976 |
The Thor-Burner was an American expendable launch system, a member of the Thor rocket family. It consisted of a Thor missile, with one or two Burner upper stages. It was used between 1965 and 1976 to orbit a number of satellites, most commonly Defense Meteorological Satellite Program weather satellites. Twenty-four were launched, of which two failed. Each launch cost 11.890 million 1985 US Dollars. It weighed 51,810 kg and was 24 metres tall.
Burner 1 and Altair
The Burner 1 stage was an Altair rocket stage as used for the third stage of some Vanguard launch vehicles, but equipped by Boeing with 3-axis control.[1]
This combination was used for six vehicles. The first was launched 1965-01-18 and the sixth 1966-03-30. These were early launches of classified Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellites. One of these launches failed.[2]
Burner 2
The Burner 2 used with the Thor-Burner was the first solid fuel upper-stage vehicle used for general space applications that had full control and guidance capability. The first Burner II flight was on 1966-09-15.[3]
References
- ↑ "Thor with a solid fuel top stage". The Satellite Encyclopedia.
- ↑ "Douglas SLV-2 Thor / Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) SB-3 Delta". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles.
- ↑ "History - Jets and Moon Rockets: 1957-1970 - The Boeing Company ... Booster Rockets". Boeing.
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