Agena – 1959 To 1979

A. Wilson. (1981), JBIS, 34, pp.298-306

Refcode: 1981.34.298

Abstract:

The Agena liquid propellant upper stage was first ordered in 1956 for use in a satellite reconnaissance system boosted by the Atlas missile. When the Thor Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) was upgraded to the same top priority as the Atlas Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), Agena was switched to the smaller launcher. The first Thor Agena Right came in February 959, while the Atlas Agena combination had to wait a further year for its first launch.