# Thor DSV-2U

> United States expendable launch vehicle

**Wikidata**: [Q7796057](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7796057)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor_DSV-2U)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/thor-dsv-2u

## Summary
The Thor DSV-2U was a United States expendable launch vehicle, part of the Thor rocket family. It was operational from 1976 to 1980 and primarily launched military meteorological satellites, including the DMSP 5D-1 series. The vehicle was notable for its use of the Thor DM-19 first stage and Star 37 upper stages.

## Key Facts
- Part of the Thor rocket family, a class of American expendable launch vehicles.
- Launched from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 10 West.
- First flight occurred on September 11, 1976.
- Retired from service on July 15, 1980.
- Primarily used to launch the DMSP 5D-1 series of military meteorological satellites.
- Composed of a Thor DM-19 first stage and two Star 37 upper stages (Star 37XE and Star 37S-ISS).
- Originated from the United States.
- Notable for its role in launching multiple DMSP satellites, including the DMSP 5D-1/F01 to F04.
- One launch failure occurred in 1980 when the DMSP 5D-1/F05 satellite was lost.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the Thor DSV-2U used for?
A: The Thor DSV-2U was primarily used to launch the DMSP 5D-1 series of military meteorological satellites, providing weather data for the U.S. military.

### Q: When was the Thor DSV-2U operational?
A: The Thor DSV-2U was operational from September 11, 1976, to July 15, 1980.

### Q: What were the components of the Thor DSV-2U?
A: The Thor DSV-2U consisted of a Thor DM-19 first stage and two Star 37 upper stages: the Star 37XE and the Star 37S-ISS.

### Q: Did the Thor DSV-2U have any notable failures?
A: Yes, the Thor DSV-2U experienced a launch failure in 1980 when the DMSP 5D-1/F05 satellite was lost.

### Q: Where was the Thor DSV-2U launched from?
A: The Thor DSV-2U was launched from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 10 West.

## Why It Matters
The Thor DSV-2U played a crucial role in the U.S. military's weather satellite program, providing essential meteorological data for national defense. Its operational period from 1976 to 1980 was a key time for the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP), which relied on reliable launch vehicles to maintain its satellite constellation. The Thor DSV-2U's combination of the Thor DM-19 first stage and Star 37 upper stages allowed it to deliver payloads into the required orbits. While it had a relatively short operational life, it contributed to the continuity of weather data during a critical era. The launch failure of the DMSP 5D-1/F05 satellite in 1980 highlighted the challenges of maintaining reliability in early expendable launch systems.

## Notable For
- Successfully launched four DMSP 5D-1 satellites (F01 to F04) between 1976 and 1980.
- One of the first rockets to use the Star 37XE and Star 37S-ISS upper stages in combination.
- Part of the Thor rocket family, which had a long history of military and scientific launches.
- Operated during a critical period for the DMSP program, ensuring continuous weather data for the U.S. military.
- Retired in 1980, marking the end of an era for the Thor DSV-2U configuration.

## Body
### Overview
The Thor DSV-2U was a United States expendable launch vehicle derived from the Thor rocket family. It was designed to launch military meteorological satellites, particularly those in the DMSP 5D-1 series. The vehicle's configuration included a Thor DM-19 first stage and two Star 37 upper stages: the Star 37XE and the Star 37S-ISS.

### Launch History
The Thor DSV-2U made its first flight on September 11, 1976, and remained in service until July 15, 1980. During its operational period, it successfully launched four DMSP 5D-1 satellites: F01, F02, F03, and F04. However, the launch of the DMSP 5D-1/F05 satellite in 1980 resulted in a failure, marking the only known loss of a payload on this rocket.

### Configuration
The Thor DSV-2U's design featured a Thor DM-19 first stage, which provided the initial thrust for the launch. This was followed by two Star 37 upper stages: the Star 37XE and the Star 37S-ISS. The Star 37XE was used for the first stage of the upper stage sequence, while the Star 37S-ISS was responsible for the final orbital insertion of the satellite payload.

### Launch Site
All Thor DSV-2U launches were conducted from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 10 West, a facility known for its support of military and scientific missions.

### Legacy
The Thor DSV-2U was part of a broader effort to maintain the DMSP satellite constellation, which was critical for military weather forecasting. Its retirement in 1980 marked the end of an era for this particular rocket configuration, though the Thor family continued to evolve and support other missions.

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