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Thor Able III
Photo: NASA · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
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ThorAbleIII

Military Space Launch Vehicles · United States · 1958
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ThorAbleIII

Thor Able III
Thor Able III Photo: NASA · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Payload Capacity
30
Reliability
40
Cost-Efficiency
50
Responsiveness / Cadence
20
Reusability
0
Orbit Versatility
35
Precision
45
Technology
50
Strategic Value
40
Human-Rating
0
Origin United States
CategoryMilitary Space Launch Vehicles
EraEarly Cold War
In service1958–1960
Operators1 countries
Quantity16
Data Quality84%
31
Military Space Launch Vehicles MASS Rating
23/53
Early Cold War
199/296
All-Time
Military Space Launch Vehicles · 10 axes scored
Payload Capacity
30
Reliability
40
Cost-Efficiency
50
Responsiveness / Cadence
20
Reusability
0
Orbit Versatility
35
Precision
45
Technology
50
Strategic Value
40
Human-Rating
0
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the military space launch vehicles category.
01 / Overview
Thor Able III
Production
1958–1960
Quantity
16
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
MILITARY SPACE LAUNCH VEHICLES · EARLY COLD WAR
23
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
55
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
31
military space launch vehicles category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the military space launch vehicles category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General5MOD.5
  • Vehicle Typeexpendable launch system
  • First Flight1958
  • Stages3
  • StatusRetired
  • In ServiceNo
◈Performance6MOD.6
  • Payload to LEO120 kg
  • Liftoff Thrust758.71
  • Liftoff Mass51.608 t
  • Height27.8 m
  • Diameter2.44 m
  • Success Rate3
▣Propulsion5MOD.5
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANRetired
  1. 1958Production started
  2. 1960Production ended
68
years in service
2
years in production
16
units produced
0
countries operating
ⓘ 1 countries retired it.
04 / Variants
▚ WEAPON FAMILY
Thor-Able 1958
Thor Able III 1958
// SIBLING VARIANTS
05 / Operators
Operator Countries1country
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Military Space Launch Vehicles entry →