Thor Delta | Ariel 1

United States Air Force flew Thor Delta | Ariel 1 on a Thor Delta out of Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA, placing its payload in LEO.

Launch time
Status
SUCCESS
Operator
United States Air Force
Mission type
Earth Science
Rocket
Thor Delta
Launch site
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Launch pad
Space Launch Complex 17A
Payload
—
Target orbit
LEO
Thor Delta | Ariel 1 cover image

Mission timeline

  1. 1962-04-26T18:00:16.000Z
    Liftoff
    Liftoff confirmed — Thor Delta is airborne.
  2. Max-Q
    Max Q — Thor Delta endures peak structural stress during ascent.
  3. Main engine cutoff (MECO)
    First-stage main engine cutoff (MECO) confirmed.
  4. Stage separation
    The spent first stage separates from the upper stage.
  5. Second-stage ignition
    Upper stage ignites, continuing the journey toward orbit.
  6. Orbit insertion
    The mission reaches LEO, successfully entering orbit.
  7. Mission success
    The mission concludes successfully.

Last updated: