Edwards AFB in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

PGM-17A "Thor"

Douglas Aircraft

Photographed by Denise Boose, January 15, 2013

1. PGM-17A "Thor" Marker

Inscription. Thor was the free world’s first operational intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM). It was 65 feet long, 8 feet in diameter and weighed 105,000 pounds. Douglas Aircraft was the prime contractor. The missile utilized a single stage North American Rocketdyne LR-79 liquid oxygen rocket motor, which provided 150,000 lbs of static thrust. This gave the Thor of range of 2,000 miles. Development of the system was rapid. Thor’s first successful launch was made on 20 Sep 57 and it entered active military service in September 1958. It was launched from a combination transporter-erector vehicle and was directed to its target by a self-contained inertial guidance system. It was originally designated the SM-75, but later redesignated the PGM-17A. The LR-79 rocket motor was tested extensively at Edwards AFB’s Rocket Propulsion Laboratory.

On loan from the USAF Museum.

Erected by Air Force Flight Test Center Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1958.

Location. 34° 54.742′ N, 117° 55.265′ W. Marker is in Edwards AFB, California, in Kern County. It can be reached from Rosamond Boulevard, on the left when traveling east. Located next to the AFFTC Museum. Edwards Air Force

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Base is not open to the public. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 405 S Rosamond Blvd, Edwards CA 93524, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

in the Mojave Desert,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Piper PA-48 “Enforcer” (a few steps from this marker); NASA Space Shuttle Crew Transport Vehicle (within shouting distance of this marker); Air Force Flight Test Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Lockheed SR-71A “Blackbird” (within shouting distance of this marker); UC-45J "Expeditor" (within shouting distance of this marker); N.F.-11 (T.T.-20) “Meteor” (within shouting distance of this marker); T-33A “Shooting Star” (within shouting distance of this marker); NF-4C "Phantom II" (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edwards AFB.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Boeing B-52D - “Stratofortress” (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

PGM-17A "Thor" and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, January 15, 2013

2. PGM-17A "Thor" and Marker

Photographed by Denise Boose, January 15, 2013

3. The "Thor"

Photographed by Denise Boose, January 15, 2013

4. The "Thor"

Photographed by Denise Boose, January 15, 2013

5. Diagram

Credits. This page was last revised on May 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2013, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 725 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on March 16, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 20, 2013, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.