# Thor-Able

> American expendable launch system and sounding rocket used for a series of re-entry vehicle tests and satellite launches between 1958 and 1960

**Wikidata**: [Q764909](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q764909)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor-Able)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/thor-able

## Summary
Thor-Able was an American expendable launch system and sounding rocket used for re-entry vehicle tests and satellite launches between 1958 and 1960. It combined the PGM-17 Thor missile as its first stage with the Able upper stage. The system was manufactured by Douglas and operated by the United States.

## Key Facts
- Thor-Able was used for launches between 1958 and 1960
- It was manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Company
- The system combined a PGM-17 Thor missile first stage with an Able upper stage
- It was used for both re-entry vehicle tests and satellite launches
- The system originated in the United States
- Multiple variants existed including Thor Able I, II, III, and IV
- It was part of the broader Thor rocket family
- The system had a commons gallery and category on Wikimedia Commons
- It had documentation in 8 Wikipedia languages

## FAQs
### Q: What was Thor-Able used for?
A: Thor-Able was an American expendable launch system used for re-entry vehicle tests and satellite launches between 1958 and 1960. It combined a Thor missile with an Able upper stage to carry payloads into space.

### Q: Who manufactured Thor-Able?
A: Thor-Able was manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Company, an American aerospace manufacturer.

### Q: What were the different versions of Thor-Able?
A: There were multiple variants of Thor-Able including Thor Able I, Thor Able II, Thor Able III, and Thor Able IV, each representing different configurations or improvements of the launch system.

## Why It Matters
Thor-Able represented an important step in American space launch capabilities during the early Space Age. As a transitional system that combined existing military missile technology with new upper stages, it helped bridge the gap between ballistic missile development and dedicated space launch vehicles. The system's use for both re-entry vehicle testing and satellite launches made it versatile for early space exploration needs. Its development contributed to the technological foundation that would support more advanced launch systems in the following decades. The Thor-Able series demonstrated the practical application of adapting military technology for peaceful space exploration purposes, a pattern that would continue throughout the early space program.

## Notable For
- Being one of the first American launch systems specifically designed for satellite launches
- Successfully combining military missile technology with civilian space applications
- Serving as a developmental platform for later, more advanced launch vehicles
- Supporting both military testing and scientific satellite missions
- Representing an important transitional technology in American space launch history

## Body
### Technical Configuration
Thor-Able consisted of two main stages: the PGM-17 Thor missile as the first stage and the Able upper stage. This configuration allowed it to carry payloads into orbit or on suborbital trajectories for re-entry testing.

### Operational History
The system was operational from 1958 to 1960, a critical period in the early Space Age when the United States was developing its space launch capabilities. During this time, it supported various test and operational missions.

### Variants and Development
Multiple variants of the system were developed, designated as Thor Able I through Thor Able IV. Each variant likely represented incremental improvements or modifications to meet specific mission requirements.

### Manufacturer and Development
Douglas Aircraft Company was responsible for manufacturing Thor-Able systems. The company's involvement connected the program to broader American aerospace development efforts of the era.

### Documentation and Legacy
The system has been documented across multiple Wikimedia platforms, including Wikipedia articles in 8 languages, a commons gallery, and a dedicated category. This documentation helps preserve the historical record of early American space launch systems.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Thor-Able",
  "description": "American expendable launch system and sounding rocket used for a series of re-entry vehicle tests and satellite launches between 1958 and 1960",
  "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor-Able",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15241312"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Rocket Series"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013