UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Thor DM-21 Ablestar | Transit 3A
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Nov 30, 1960 at 19:50 UTC
▸ Flight profile›
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MISSION OVERVIEW
Transit 3A was a US Navy navigation satellite that was destroyed by range safety when the launch vehicle shut down too early.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Thor DM-21 AblestarAGENCY
United States Air ForceMISSION
Transit 3A
MISSION TYPE
Navigation
TARGET ORBIT
Polar Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Space Launch Complex 17BLAUNCH SITE
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USACOUNTRY
USA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: b5f0d805-b7b3-469c-976c-164255551f91
Reported date: Nov 30, 1960 at 19:50 UTC
Last synced: 2 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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VEHICLE — Thor DM-21 Ablestar →
MANUFACTURER
United States Air Force
VARIANT
DM-21
FLIGHTS
19
SUCCESSES
13
SUCCESS RATE
68.4%
The Thor-Ablestar, or Thor Able-Star, also known as Thor-Epsilon was an early American expendable launch system consisting of a PGM-17 Thor missile, with an Ablestar upper stage. It was a member of the Thor family of rockets, and was derived from the Thor-Able.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Thor DM-21 Ablestar | Transit 3A launch?
The Thor DM-21 Ablestar | Transit 3A is scheduled for Wednesday, November 30, 1960 at 7:50 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: FAILURE.
What rocket is being used for Transit 3A?
The Thor DM-21 Ablestar | Transit 3A mission uses the Thor DM-21 Ablestar rocket, manufactured by United States Air Force. The Thor DM-21 Ablestar has flown 19 times with a 68.4% success rate.
Where is the Thor DM-21 Ablestar | Transit 3A launching from?
The launch takes place from Space Launch Complex 17B at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.
What orbit is Transit 3A going to?
The Transit 3A mission is targeting Polar Orbit.
Who is launching Transit 3A?
The Thor DM-21 Ablestar | Transit 3A is operated by United States Air Force.
Can I watch the Thor DM-21 Ablestar | Transit 3A launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch date set: Nov 30, 1960 at 19:50 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by United States Air Force
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch failure reported
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 2 minutes ago
●Launch Library 22 minutes ago
Launch ID: b5f0d805-b7b3-469c-976c-164255551f91
●Open-Meteo Weather5 days ago
Pad weather at 28.45, -80.57
Mission Profile
Transit 3A was a Thor DM-21 Ablestar mission operated by United States Air Force that lifted off from Space Launch Complex 17B, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA on November 30, 1960. The flight carried its payload on a navigation mission to Polar Orbit. The launch ended in failure.