UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

Thor DM-21 Ablestar | Transit 4A & Injun-1 & Solrad 3

SUCCESS Thor DM-21 Ablestar →
Jun 29, 1961 at 04:23 UTC
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA 68% success
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Mission Control3D trajectory · Live telemetry · AI narrator · Booster tracking
PADSpace Launch Complex 17B
SITECape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA →
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 983ef2b2-df44-4af2-93f9-4263dd6b4571
Reported date: Jun 29, 1961 at 04:23 UTC
Last synced: 12 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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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.

When is the Thor DM-21 Ablestar | Transit 4A & Injun-1 & Solrad 3 launch?
The Thor DM-21 Ablestar | Transit 4A & Injun-1 & Solrad 3 is scheduled for Thursday, June 29, 1961 at 4:23 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Thor DM-21 Ablestar | Transit 4A & Injun-1 & Solrad 3?
The Thor DM-21 Ablestar | Transit 4A & Injun-1 & Solrad 3 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 4A & Injun-1 & Solrad 3 launching from?
The launch takes place from Space Launch Complex 17B at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.
Who is launching Thor DM-21 Ablestar | Transit 4A & Injun-1 & Solrad 3?
The Thor DM-21 Ablestar | Transit 4A & Injun-1 & Solrad 3 is operated by United States Air Force.
Can I watch the Thor DM-21 Ablestar | Transit 4A & Injun-1 & Solrad 3 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.
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: Jun 29, 1961 at 04:23 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by United States Air Force
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 12 minutes ago
Launch Library 212 minutes ago
Launch ID: 983ef2b2-df44-4af2-93f9-4263dd6b4571
Open-Meteo Weather4 days ago
Pad weather at 28.45, -80.57

Mission Profile

Thor DM-21 Ablestar | Transit 4A & Injun-1 & Solrad 3 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 June 29, 1961. The launch was a success.