Thor-Agena

Added some time between our October 2005 and October 2006 trips was a Thor-Agena A. It must have been a recent addition, because in 2006 there was just a temporary railing (including yellow "do not cross" tape) around the missile, and it had what appeared to be a temporary sign. The Thor first stage doesn't seem to have a full serial number on it, although it is marked with "237".

A history of the Thor, creatively entitled The Thor History. is available from the University of Alabama Huntsville's USSRC archives. Available in two parts as direct PDF links, this history documents its use both as a missile and space launch vehicle. It includes drawings of Thor variants and a launch record. Issued in 1963, this document does not mention that many Thor-Agena launches were in support of the Corona spy satellite, which was still top secret at the time. Part 1 and Part 2.

The Air Force Museum has a fact sheet on the Thor-Agena A. Also see the Agena B upper stage at the Udvar-Hazy Center, as well as my info page for additional information on the various models of the Agena upper stages.

As of now, I have not yet sorted through all of my pictures of the Thor-Agena, but some other page references this location. Thus, this is a "place holder" version right now, with only the pictures actually referenced. Come back some time later to see if I've finished up, or drop me an email to request me to prioritize the rest of these pictures.