The Thor DSV-2 was a series of sounding rockets, test vehicles, and anti-satellite weapons derived from the Thor Intermediate-range ballistic missile. It was also used as the first stage of several Thor-derived expendable launch systems.
Variants
Thor DSV-2A The DSV-2A was a two-stage rocket, consisting of a DSV-2A / MB-3-II first stage, and an Able-Star / AJ10-104D second stage. It was launched eight times between 1963 and 1965 from Vandenberg. +List of Thor DSV-2A launchesS/NDateLaunch sitePayloadResultImageThor 3751963-09-28VA LC-75Transit 5BN-1 / Transit 5E-1SuccessThor 3851963-12-05VA LC-75Transit 5BN-2 / Transit 5E-3 SuccessThor 3791964-04-21VA LC-75Transit 5BN-3 / Transit 5E-2FailureThor 4231964-10-06VA LC-75Transit-O 1/ Dragsphere 1 / Dragsphere 2 Thor 4271964-12-13VA LC-75Transit-O 2 / Transit 5E-5 Thor 4401965-03-11VA LC-75Transit-O 3 / SECOR 2Partial successThor 4471965-06-24VA LC-75Transit-O 4Thor 4551965-08-13VA LC-75Transit-O 5 / Dodecapole 2 / Long Rod / Tempsat 1 / Surcal 5 / Calsphere 2
Thor DSV-2D The DSV-2D was launched twice in 1962, conducting suborbital research flights for the development of the Program 437 ASAT. It was a single-stage vehicle, consisting of a Thor DM-21. Launches were conducted from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 17A. +List of Thor DSV-2D launchesS/NDateLaunch sitePayloadOrbitImageThor 3371962-01-15CCAFS LC-17ABig Shot 1 (AVT 1)SuborbitalThor 3381962-07-18CCAFS LC-17ABig Shot 2 (AVT 2) Suborbital
Thor DSV-2E The DSV-2E was a single-stage vehicle, using a Thor DM-19. It was launched eight times in 1962, including several nuclear weapons tests as part of Operation Fishbowl. Four launches failed, all of which were carrying live nuclear warheads. Launches were conducted from Launch Emplacements 1 and 2 on Johnston Atoll. +List of Thor DSV-2E launchesS/NDateLaunch sitePayloadOrbitResultThor 1771962-05-02Johnston LE-1Tigerfish (R/D)SuborbitalSuccessThor 1991962-06-04Johnston LE-1BluegillSuborbitalRadar contact lost 5 minutes after launch. RSO destruct command sent.Thor 1931962-06-20Johnston LE-1Starfish SuborbitalRVs caused turbine exhaust gas to enter the thrust section, overheating and weakening the engine mounts. Engine broke loose and ruptured the propellant tanks T+59 seconds. Warhead destroyed by RSO T+65 seconds.Thor 1951962-07-09Johnston LE-1Starfish PrimeSuborbitalSuccessThor 1801962-07-26Johnston LE-1Bluegill PrimeSuborbitalStuck LOX valve caused loss of thrust and fire on the launch stand. Range Safety Officer destroyed the missile and warhead. Launch area extensively contaminated with plutonium.Thor 1561962-10-16Johnston LE-2Bluegill Double PrimeSuborbitalFlight control failure T+85 seconds. RSO T+156 seconds.Thor 1411962-10-26Johnston LE-1Bluegill Triple PrimeSuborbitalSuccessThor 2261962-11-01Johnston LE-2Kingfish SuborbitalSuccess
Thor DSV-2F The DSV-2F was a single-stage vehicle consisting of a Thor DM-19, like the DSV-2E. Three were launched between 1963 and 1964, as part of Project ASSET, which involved launching a sub-scale mockup of the X-20 Dyna-Soar to test materials for the larger spacecraft. Launches were conducted from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 17B. +List of Thor DSV-2F launchesS/NDateLaunch sitePayloadOrbitResultImageThor 2321963-09-18CCAFS LC-17BASSET-1 (ASSET ASV 1)SuborbitalSuccessThor 2601964-10-28CCAFS LC-17BASSET-4 (ASSET-AEV 1) SuborbitalSuccessThor 2471964-12-09CCAFS LC-17BASSET-5 (ASSET-AEV 2)SuborbitalSuccess
Thor DSV-2G The DSV-2G was a two-stage rocket, consisting of a Thor DM-19 first stage, and a Delta second stage. Three were launched between 1964 and 1965 as part of Project ASSET. Launches were conducted from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 17B. +List of Thor DSV-2G launchesS/NDateLaunch sitePayloadOrbitResultImageThor 2401964-03-24CCAFS LC-17BASSET-2 (ASSET-ASV 2)SuborbitalAtmospheric flight, second stage fired intermittently, destroyed by range safetyThor 2501964-07-22CCAFS LC-17BASSET-3 (ASSET-ASV 3)SuborbitalSuccessThor 2481965-02-23CCAFS LC-17BASSET-6 (ASSET-ASV 4)SuborbitalSuccess
Thor DSV-2J
The DSV-2J was an operational nuclear anti-satellite weapon. 18 were launched between 1964 and 1975. Most flights were non-intercept tests of the rocket's anti-satellite capabilities, however some later launches carried research payloads. Launches were conducted from Launch Emplacements 1 and 2 on Johnston Atoll. +List of Thor DSV-2J launchesS/NDateLaunch sitePayloadResultThor 29914.02.1964Johnston LE-1AFP-437 (#1)SuccessThor 20902.03.1964Johnston LE-1AFP-437 (#2)SuccessThor 29021.04.1964Johnston LE-2AFP-437 (#3)SuccessThor 22728.05.1964Johnston LE-2AFP-437 (#4)FailureThor 23616.11.1964Johnston LE-1AFP-437 (#5)SuccessThor 15505.04.1965Johnston LE-2AFP-437 (#6)SuccessThor 18807.12.1965Johnston LE-2AFP-437AP (#1)SuccessThor 24218.01.1966Johnston LE-2AFP-437AP (#2)SuccessThor 19612.03.1966Johnston LE-2AFP-437AP (#3)SuccessThor 28902.07.1966Johnston LE-2AFP-437AP (#4)SuccessThor 16831.03.1967Johnston LE-1AFP-437 (#7)SuccessThor 20514.05.1968Johnston LE-1AFP-437 (#8)SuccessThor 25220.11.1968Johnston LE-1AFP-437 (#9)SuccessThor 15227.03.1970Johnston LE-1AFP-437 (#10)SuccessThor 22524.04.1970Johnston LE-2SDPPartial SuccessThor 27124.09.1970Johnston LE-2HAP/SXRESuccessThor 20119.09.1975Johnston LE-2BMDTTP 1 (DG-5)SuccessThor 27406.11.1975Johnston LE-2BMDTTP 2 (DG-3)Success
References