Thor DM-21 Ablestar | Courier 1B

United States Air Force flew Thor DM-21 Ablestar | Courier 1B on a Thor DM-21 Ablestar out of Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA, placing its payload in LEO.

Launch time
Status
SUCCESS
Operator
United States Air Force
Mission type
Communications
Launch pad
Space Launch Complex 17B
Payload
—
Target orbit
LEO
Thor DM-21 Ablestar | Courier 1B cover image

Mission timeline

  1. 1960-10-04T17:50:00.000Z
    Liftoff
    Thor DM-21 Ablestar roars off the pad at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.
  2. Max-Q
    The vehicle reaches Max Q, the highest aerodynamic load of the flight.
  3. Main engine cutoff (MECO)
    MECO — first-stage propulsion ends after a nominal burn.
  4. Stage separation
    Clean stage separation confirmed.
  5. Second-stage ignition
    The upper-stage engine lights up after separation.
  6. Orbit insertion
    Orbit insertion confirmed — now circling in LEO.
  7. Mission success
    All mission objectives achieved.

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