DMSP-5D1 F5

Launch Failure

Liftoff Time (GMT)

02:22:00

Tuesday July 15, 1980

Mission Details

Launch Notes

Final flight of Long Tank Thor. The failure was attributed to faulty connections between the second and third stages, resulting in the third stage not receiving electrical power.

DMSP-5D1 F5

Wiki

DMSP-5D1 (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Block 5D1) was the ninth version of the military meteorological satellites of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. These version was also known as AMS (Advanced Meteorological Satellite). This series introduced a new 3-axis stabilized bus with integrated propulsion system, so that the satellite itself acted as an upper stage for the launch vehicle. It consisted of a Star-37XE and a Star-37S motor and the ISS (Integrated Stage System) control system featuring four axial hydrazine thrusters. Power was supplied by a single, articulated 8-segmented solar array.

Sun-Synchronous Orbit

1 Payload

513 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Thor LV2F Star-ISS

Active 1976 to 1980


Stages

2

Strap-ons

3

Launch Site

SLC-10W (75-2-6)

Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Fastest Turnaround

49 days 3 hours

Stats

Thor-Burner


31st

Mission

1st

Mission of 1980

1980


62nd

Orbital launch attempt