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List of Delta 1 launches

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About the Delta 1 rockets

[edit]
Launch of the first Skynet satellite by Delta M launch vehicle in 1969 from Cape Canaveral

Delta A

[edit]

The Delta A used the MB-3 Block II engine, with 170,000 lbf (760 kN) of thrust versus 152,000 lbf (680 kN) for the Block I.[1][2]

13. 2 October 1962 – Explorer 14 (EPE-B).
14. 27 October 1962 – Explorer 15 (EPE-C).

Delta B

[edit]

The Delta B introduced the upgraded AJ10-118D upper stage, a three-foot propellant tank extension, higher-energy oxidizer, and solid-state guidance system. With the Delta B the Delta program went from "interim" to "operational" status. Delta B could launch 200 lb (91 kg) to GTO.[2]

15. 13 December 1962. Relay 1, second NASA communications satellite, the NASA communications satellite first active one.
16. 13 February 1963. Pad 17B. Syncom 1; Thiokol Corporation Star-13B solid rocket as apogee motor.
20. 26 July 1963. Syncom 2; geosynchronous orbit, but inclined 33.0° due to the limited performance of the Delta rocket.

Delta C

[edit]

For Delta C, the third stage Altair was replaced with Altair 2. The Altair 2 had been developed as the ABL X-258 for the Scout vehicle and was 3 in (76 mm) longer, 10% heavier, and with 65% more total thrust. OSO 4 is an example of a Delta C launch.[citation needed]

Delta D

[edit]

Delta D, also known as Thrust Augmented Delta, was a Delta C with the Thrust Augmented Thor core plus three Castor 1 boosters.[citation needed]

25. 19 August 1964. Syncom 3, the first geostationary communications satellite.
30. 6 April 1965. Intelsat I.

Delta E

[edit]

First Delta E: 6 November 1965; launched GEOS 1[citation needed]

Delta F

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This launch vehicle was not built.[3]

Delta G

[edit]

The Delta G was a Delta E without the third stage. The two-stage vehicle was used for two launches: Biosatellite 1 on 14 December 1966 and Biosatellite 2 on 7 September 1967.[1]

Delta J

[edit]

The Delta J used a larger Thiokol Star 37D motor as the third stage and was launched once on 4 July 1968 with Explorer 38.[1]

Delta K

[edit]

This launch vehicle was not built.[3]

Delta L

[edit]

The Delta L introduced the Extended Long Tank first stage with a uniform 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in) diameter and used the United Technologies FW-4D motor as a third stage.[citation needed]

Delta M

[edit]

The Delta M first stage consisted of a Long Tank Thor with MB-3-3 engine augmented with three Castor 2 boosters. The Delta E was the second stage, with a Star 37D (Burner 2) third stage/apogee kick motor. There were 12 successful Delta M launches from 1968 until 1971.[4]

Delta N

[edit]

The Delta N combined a Long Tank Thor (MB-3-3 engine) first stage augmented with three Castor 2 boosters and a Delta E second stage. There were six successful Delta N launches from 1968 until 1972.[5]

"Super Six"

[edit]

The "Super Six" was a Delta M or Delta N with three additional Castor 2 boosters for a total of six, which was the maximum that could be accommodated. These were respectively designated Delta M6 or Delta N6. The first and only launch of the M6 configuration was Explorer 43 (IMP-H, Magnetospheric research) on 13 March 1971.[6] Three launches of the N6 between 1970 and 1971 resulted in one failure.[7]

  • 450 kg (990 lb) to GTO

Delta 0100-series

[edit]

The Delta 0100 series was the first stage of the initial numbered Delta was the Long Tank Thor, a version of the Thor missile with extended propellant tanks. Up to nine strap-on solid rocket boosters (SRBs) could be fitted. With three SRBs, the Delta was designated a 300 series, while the nine SRB variant was designated the 900 series. A new and improved Delta F second stage using the higher-thrust Aerojet AJ 10-118F engine was also introduced. The first 900 series launch was the fourth Delta 0100.[citation needed] On 23 July 1972, Thor-Delta 904 launched Landsat 1.[8] A license-built version of the Long Tank Thor stage with the MB-3 engine was also used for the Japanese N-I launch vehicle.

Delta 1000-series

[edit]

The Delta 1000 series was nicknamed the Straight-Eight and combined an Extended Long Tank first stage with an 8 ft-diameter (2.4 m) payload fairing, up to nine Castor 2 SRBs, and the new McDonnell Douglas Delta P second stage using the TRW TR-201 engine. Payload capacity increased to 1,835 kg (4,045 lb) to LEO or 635 kg (1,400 lb) to GTO.[citation needed] The first successful 1000 series Thor-Delta launched Explorer 47 on 22 September 1972.[8] The Extended Long Tank Thor stage was also used in the Japanese N-II and H-I launch vehicles.

Delta 2000-series

[edit]

The Delta 2000 introduced the new Rocketdyne RS-27 main engine on an Extended Long Tank first stage with the same constant 8-foot diameter. A Delta 2310 was the vehicle for the first three-satellite launch of NOAA-4, Intasat, and AMSAT-OSCAR 7 on 15 November 1974.[citation needed] Delta 2910 boosters were used to launch both Landsat 2 in 1975 and Landsat 3 in 1978. On 7 April 1978, a Delta 2914 launched "Yuri 1", the first Japanese BSE Broadcasting Satellite.[9]

Delta 3000-series

[edit]

The Delta 3000 combined the same first stage as 1000-series and 2000-series with upgraded Castor 4 solid boosters and was the last Delta series to use the McDonnell Douglas Delta P second stage with TRW TR-201 engine. Delta 3000 introduced the PAM (Payload Assist Module) / Star 48B solid-fueled kick motor, which was later used as Delta II third stage.[citation needed] The Delta 3914 model was approved for launching United States government payloads in May 1976[8] and was launched 13 times between 1975 and 1987.

Delta 4000-series

[edit]

The Delta 4000-series and 5000-series were developed in the aftermath of the Challenger disaster and consisted of a combination of 3000-era and Delta II-era components. The first stage had the MB-3 main engine and Extended Long Tank of the 3000-series and mounted upgraded Castor 4A motors. The new Delta K second stage was also included. A total of three were launched in 1989 and 1990, carrying two operational payloads.[citation needed]

Delta 5000-series

[edit]

The Delta 5000 series featured upgraded Castor 4A motors on an Extended Long Tank first stage with the new RS-27 main engine and only launched one mission.[citation needed]

Launch statistics

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Launch outcome

[edit]
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
1962
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
  •   Failure
  •   Partial Failure
  •   Success

Statistics are up-to-date as of 27 July 2021.

Launch history

[edit]
Number Date/time
(UTC)
Rocket S/N Launch site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks
1 1962-10-02
22:11:30
Delta A Thor 345
Delta 13
CCAFS LC-17B Explorer 14 Magnetospheric HEO Success Maiden flight of Delta A
2 1962-10-27
23:15:01
Delta A Thor 346
Delta 14
CCAFS LC-17B Explorer 15 Radiation MEO Success Final flight of Delta A
3 1962-12-13
23:30:01
Delta B Thor 355
Delta 15
CCAFS LC-17A Relay 1 Communications MEO Success Maiden flight of Delta B
4 1963-02-14
05:35:08
Delta B Thor 358
Delta 16
CCAFS LC-17B Syncom 1 Communications GTO Success Electronics failure on payload
5 1963-04-03
02:00:02
Delta B Thor 357
Delta 17
CCAFS LC-17A Explorer 17 Atmospheric LEO Success
6 1963-05-07
11:38:03
Delta B Thor 366
Delta 18
CCAFS LC-17B Telstar 2 Communications MEO Success
7 1963-06-19
09:50:01
Delta B Thor 359
Delta 19
CCAFS LC-17B TIROS-7 Weather SSO Success
8 1963-07-26
14:33:00
Delta B Thor 370
Delta 20
CCAFS LC-17A Syncom 2 Communications GTO Success
9 1963-11-27
02:30:01
Delta C Thor 387
Delta 21
CCAFS LC-17B Explorer 18 Magnetospheric HEO Success Maiden flight of Delta C
10 1963-12-21
09:30:00
Delta B Thor 371
Delta 22
CCAFS LC-17B TIROS-8 Weather SSO Success
11 1964-01-21
21:14:59
Delta B Thor 373
Delta 23
CCAFS LC-17B Relay 2 Communications MEO Success
12 1964-03-19
11:13:41
Delta B Thor 391
Delta 24
CCAFS LC-17A BE-A Ionospheric LEO Failure Third stage underperformed
13 1964-08-19
12:15:02
Delta D Thor 417
Delta 25
CCAFS LC-17A Syncom 3 Communications GTO Success
14 1964-10-04
03:45:00
Delta C Thor 392
Delta 26
CCAFS LC-17A Explorer 21 Magnetospheric HEO Partial failure Reached lower than planned orbit
15 1964-12-21
09:00:03
Delta C Thor 393
Delta 27
CCAFS LC-17A Explorer 26 Magnetospheric MEO Success
16 1965-01-22
07:55
Delta C Thor 374
Delta 28
CCAFS LC-17A TIROS-9 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO Success
17 1965-02-03
16:33
Delta C Thor 411
Delta 29
CCAFS LC-17B OSO-2 Solar observation satellite LEO Success
18 1965-04-06
23:45
Delta D Thor 426
Delta 30
CCAFS LC-17A Intelsat I (Intelsat-1-1 / Early Bird) Communication satellite GTO Success Performed first transcontinental satellite TV broadcast.
19 1965-05-29
12:00
Delta C Thor 441
Delta 31
CCAFS LC-17B Explorer 28 (IMP-C) Interplanetary space research satellite HEO Success
20 1965-07-02
04:04
Delta C Thor 415
Delta 32
CCAFS LC-17B TIROS-10 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO Success
21 1965-08-25
15:17
Delta C Thor 434
Delta 33
CCAFS LC-17B OSO-C Solar observation satellite planned: LEO Failure Third stage ignited while still attached to the second stage.
22 1965-11-06
18:43
Delta E Thor 457
Delta 34
CCAFS LC-17A Explorer 29 (GEOS-A) Geodetic research satellite MEO Success
23 1965-12-16
07:31
Delta E Thor 460
Delta 35
CCAFS LC-17A Pioneer 6 Interplanetary space research probe Heliocentric Success Probe continues to work as of late 2000.
24 1966-02-03
07:41
Delta C Thor 445
Delta 36
CCAFS LC-17A ESSA-1 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO Success
25 1966-02-28
13:58
Delta E Thor 461
Delta 37
CCAFS LC-17B ESSA-2 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO Success
26 1966-05-25
14:00
Delta C1 Thor 436
Delta 38
CCAFS LC-17B Explorer 32 (AE-B) Atmospheric research Satellite LEO Success
27 1966-07-01
16:04
Delta E1 Thor 467
Delta 39
CCAFS LC-17A Explorer 33 (IMP-D) Magnetosphere research Satellite HEO Success
28 1966-08-17
15:20
Delta E1 Thor 462
Delta 40
CCAFS LC-17A Pioneer 7 Interplanetary space research probe Heliocentric Success
29 1966-10-02
10:34
Delta E Thor 463
Delta 41
VAFB SLC-2E ESSA-3 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO Success First Delta launch from VAFB
30 1966-10-26
23:05
Delta E1 Thor 464
Delta 42
CCAFS SLC-17B Intelsat 2-1 Communication Satellite GTO Success
31 1966-12-14
19:26
Delta G Thor 471
Delta 43
CCAFS LC-17A Biosatellite 1 Life science research satellite LEO Success
32 1967-01-11
10:55
Delta E1 Thor 468
Delta 44
CCAFS SLC-17B Intelsat 2-2 Communication Satellite GTO Success
33 1967-01-26
17:31
Delta E Thor 472
Delta 45
VAFB SLC-2E ESSA-4 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO Success
34 1967-03-08
16:19
Delta C Thor 431
Delta 46
CCAFS LC-17A OSO-3 Solar observation satellite LEO Success
35 1967-03-23
01:30
Delta E1 Thor 470
Delta 47
CCAFS SLC-17B Intelsat 2-3 Communication Satellite GTO Success
36 1967-04-20
11:17
Delta E Thor 484
Delta 48
VAFB SLC-2E ESSA-5 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO Success
37 1967-05-24
14:06
Delta E1 Thor 486
Delta 49
VAFB SLC-2E Explorer 34 (IMP-F) Interplanetary space research satellite HEO Success
38 1967-07-19
14:19
Delta E1 Thor 488
Delta 50
CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 35 (IMP-E) Interplanetary space research satellite Lunar Orbit Success
39 1967-09-07
22:04
Delta G Thor 475
Delta 51
CCAFS LC-17B Biosatellite 2 Life science research satellite LEO Success
40 1967-09-28
00:45
Delta E1 Thor 442
Delta 52
CCAFS SLC-17B Intelsat 2-4 Communication Satellite GTO Success
41 1967-10-18
16:04
Delta C Thor 490
Delta 53
CCAFS LC-17B OSO-4 Solar observation satellite LEO Success
42 1967-11-10
18:00
Delta E1 Thor 480
Delta 54
VAFB SLC-2E ESSA-6 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO Success
43 1967-12-13
14:08
Delta E1 Thor 489
Delta 55
CCAFS LC-17B Pioneer 8 / TTS-1 Interplanetary space research probe / Technology demonstration satellite Heliocentric Success
44 1968-01-11
16:19
Delta E1 Thor 454
Delta 56
VAFB SLC-2E Explorer 36 (GEOS-B) Geodetic research satellite LEO / SSO Success
45 1968-07-04
17:31
Delta J Thor 476
Delta 57
VAFB SLC-2E Explorer 38 (RAE-A) Radio astronomy satellite MEO Success
46 1968-08-16
11:31
Delta N Thor 528
Delta 58
VAFB SLC-2E ESSA-7 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO Success Maiden Flight of the Long Tank Thor-Delta
47 1968-09-19
00:09
Delta M Thor 529
Delta 59
CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-1 Communication Satellite planned: GTO Failure Pitch gyroscope failure led to loss of control starting at T+20 seconds. RSO T+110 seconds.
48 1968-11-08
09:46
Delta E1 Thor 479
Delta 60
CCAFS LC-17B Pioneer 9 / TTS-2 Interplanetary space research probe / Technology demonstration satellite Heliocentric Success
49 1968-12-05
18:55
Delta E1 Thor 481
Delta 61
CCAFS LC-17B HEOS-A Magnetosphere research satellite HEO Success
50 1968-12-15
17:17
Delta N Thor 532
Delta 62
VAFB SLC-2E ESSA-8 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO Success
51 1968-12-19
00:32
Delta M Thor 536
Delta 63
CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-2 Communication Satellite GTO Success
52 1969-01-22
16:48
Delta C1 Thor 487
Delta 64
CCAFS LC-17B OSO-5 Solar observation satellite LEO Success
53 1969-01-30
06:43
Delta E1 Thor 485
Delta 65
VAFB SLC-2E ISIS-I Ionosphere research satellite MEO Success
54 1969-02-06
00:39
Delta M Thor 530
Delta 66
CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-3 Communication Satellite GTO Success
55 1969-02-26
07:47
Delta E1 Thor 483
Delta 67
CCAFS SLC-17B ESSA-9 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO Success
56 1969-05-22
02:00
Delta M Thor 533
Delta 68
CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-4 Communication Satellite GTO Success
57 1969-06-21
08:53
Delta E1 Thor 482
Delta 69
VAFB SLC-2W Explorer 41 (IMP-G) Interplanetary space research satellite HEO Success
58 1969-06-29
13:26
Delta N Thor 539
Delta 70
CCAFS SLC-17A Biosatellite 3 Life science research satellite LEO Success
59 1969-07-26
02:06
Delta M Thor 547
Delta 71
CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-5 Communication Satellite planned: GTO Partial failure Stage 3 motor case ruptured, leaving spacecraft in unusable orbit
60 1969-08-09
07:32
Delta N Thor 548
Delta 72
CCAFS LC-17A OSO-6 / PAC-1 Solar observation satellite / Technology test GTO Success
61 1969-08-27
21:59
Delta L Thor 540
Delta 73
CCAFS LC-17A Pioneer E / TTS-3 Interplanetary space research probe / Technology demonstration satellite planned: Heliocentric Failure Defective valve in Stage 1 caused a hydraulic fluid leak and loss of engine gimbaling at T+220 seconds, making it impossible for the second stage to reach orbit. RSO T+480 seconds.
62 1969-11-22
00:37
Delta M Thor 554
Delta 74
CCAFS SLC-17A Skynet 1A Military communication Satellite GTO Success
63 1970-01-15
00:16
Delta M Delta 75
Thor 557
CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-6 Communication satellite GTO Success
64 1970-01-23
11:52
Delta N6 Delta 76
Thor 542
VAFB SLC-2W ITOS 1 / Oscar 5 Weather Satellite / Amateur radio satellite LEO / SSO Success
65 1970-03-20
23:46
Delta M Delta 77
Thor 558
CCAFS SLC-17A NATO 1 Military communication satellite GTO Success
66 1970-04-23
00:46
Delta M Delta 78
Thor 559
CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-7 Communication satellite GTO Success
67 1970-07-23
23:23
Delta M Delta 79
Thor 563
CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-8 Communication satellite GTO Success
68 1970-08-19
12:11
Delta M Delta 80
Thor 561
CCAFS SLC-17A Skynet-1B Military communication satellite GTO Success
69 1970-12-11
11:35
Delta N6 Delta 81
Thor 546
VAFB SLC-2W NOAA-1 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO Success
80 1971-02-03
01:41
Delta M Delta 82
Thor 560
CCAFS SLC-17A NATO 2 Military communication satellite GTO Success
71 1971-03-13
16:15
Delta M6 Delta 83
Thor 562
CCAFS SLC-17A Explorer 43 (IMP-H) Magnetosphere research satellite HEO Success
72 1971-04-01
02:53
Delta E1 Delta 84
Thor 491
VAFB SLC-2E ISIS-II Ionosphere research satellite LEO / SSO Success
73 1971-09-29
09:50
Delta N Delta 85
Thor 565
CCAFS SLC-17A OSO 7 / TTS-4 Solar observation satellite / Technology demonstration LEO, 321×572 km, 93.2 min, i=33.1°, e=0.0184 Success 2nd stage suffered a failure of the attitude control system, however the satellite reached orbit and ground controllers were able to correct its flight path.[10]
74 1971-10-21
11:32
Delta N6 Delta 86
Thor 572
VAFB SLC-2E ITOS-B Weather Satellite planned: LEO / SSO Failure 2nd stage oxidizer leak starting at T+20 seconds. The attitude control system ran out of propellant trying to correct the stage's flight path and the launch vehicle reentered the atmosphere and broke up above the Arctic Circle.
75 1972-01-31
17:20
Delta L Delta 87
Thor 564
VAFB SLC-2E HEOS-2 Magnetosphere research satellite HEO Success
76 1972-03-12
00:00
Delta N Delta 88
Thor 573
VAFB SLC-2E TD-1A Astronomical research satellite LEO / SSO Success
77 1972-07-23
18:06
Delta 904[11] Delta 89
Thor 574
VAFB SLC-2W Landsat 1 Earth Resource Technology Satellite 917 km LEO, near polar, Sun synchronous. Success First use of 9 strap-on SRBs. Discovered Landsat Island.
78 1972-09-23
13:20
Delta 1604 Delta 90
Thor 579
CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 47 (IMP-I) Magnetospheric research satellite HEO Success First successful flight of Delta-1000 series.
79 15 October 1972
17:17
Delta 300 Delta 91
Thor 575
VAFB, SLC-2W NOAA-2 / AMSAT-OSCAR 6 Weather satellite / Amateur radio satellite LEO / SSO Success
80 1972-11-10
01:14
Delta 1914 Delta 92
Thor 580
CCAFS SLC-17B Anik-A1 Communication Satellite GTO Success
81 1972-12-11
07:56
Delta 900 Delta 93
Thor 577
VAFB SLC-2W Nimbus-5 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO Success
82 1973-04-20
23:47
Delta 1914 Delta 94
Thor 583
CCAFS SLC-17B Anik-A2 Communication Satellite GTO Success
83 1973-06-10
14:13
Delta 1913 Delta 95
Thor 581
CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 49 (RAE-B) Radio astronomy satellite Lunar Orbit Success
84 1973-07-16
17:10
Delta 300 Delta 96
Thor 578
VAFB SLC-2W ITOS-E Weather Satellite planned: LEO / SSO Failure Hydraulic pump malfunction led to failure of the 2nd stage attitude control system. The booster and payload reentered the atmosphere and broke up.
85 1973-10-26
02:26
Delta 1604 Delta 97
Thor 582
CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 50 (IMP-J) Magnetospheric research satellite HEO Success
86 1973-11-06
14:02
Delta 300 Delta 98
Thor 576
VAFB SLC-2W NOAA-3 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO Success
87 1973-12-16
06:18
Delta 1900 Delta 99
Thor 585
VAFB SLC-2W Explorer 51 (AE-C) Atmospheric research satellite MEO Success
88 1974-01-19
01:38
Delta 2313 Delta 100
Thor 587
CCAFS SLC-17B Skynet-2A Military communication satellite planned: GTO Failure First flight of the Delta 2000 series. Stage 2 electronics package short circuited (induced by a piece of conductive contaminant shaken loose during launch), leading to loss of control.
89 1974-04-13
21:33
Delta 2914 Delta 101
Thor 588
CCAFS SLC-17B Westar-1 Communication satellite GTO Success
90 1974-05-17
10:31
Delta 2914 Delta 102
Thor 590
CCAFS SLC-17B SMS-1 Weather satellite GTO Success
91 1974-10-10
22:53
Delta 2914 Delta 103
Thor 589
CCAFS SLC-17B Westar-2 Communication satellite GTO Success
92 1974-11-15
17:11
Delta 2310 Delta 104
Thor 592
VAFB SLC-2W NOAA-4 / Oscar 7 / Intasat Weather Satellite / Amateur radio satellite / Ionosphere research LEO / SSO Success
93 1974-11-23
00:28
Delta 2313 Delta 105
Thor 591
CCAFS SLC-17B Skynet-2B Military communication satellite GTO Success
94 1974-12-19
02:39
Delta 2914 Delta 106
Thor 599
CCAFS SLC-17B Symphonie-1 Communication satellite GTO Success
95 1975-01-22
17:56
Delta 2910 Delta 107
Thor 598
VAFB SLC-2W Landsat 2 Earth Resource Technology Satellite 917 km LEO, near polar, Sun synchronous. Success Satellite operated until Feb 25, 1982.
96 1975-02-06
22:04
Delta 2914 Delta 108
Thor 593
CCAFS SLC-17B SMS-2 Weather satellite GTO Success
97 1975-04-10
23:50
Delta 1410 Delta 109
Thor 584
VAFB SLC-2W GEOS-C Geodetic research satellite LEO Success
98 1975-05-07
23:35
Delta 2914 Delta 110
Thor 596
CCAFS SLC-17B Anik-A3 Communication Satellite GTO Success
99 1975-06-12
08:12
Delta 2910 Delta 111
Thor 595
VAFB SLC-2W Nimbus-6 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO Success
100 1975-06-21
11:43
Delta 1910 Delta 112
Thor 586
CCAFS SLC-17B OSO-8 Solar observation satellite LEO Success
101 1975-08-09
01:47
Delta 2913 Delta 113
Thor 602
VAFB SLC-2W COS-B High-energy astronomy research satellite HEO Success
102 1975-08-27
01:42
Delta 2914 Delta 114
Thor 594
CCAFS SLC-17A Symphonie-2 Communication satellite GTO Success
103 1975-10-06
09:01
Delta 2910 Delta 115
Thor 600
VAFB SLC-2W Explorer 54 (AE-D) Atmospheric research satellite MEO Success
104 1975-10-16
22:40
Delta 2914 Delta 116
Thor 597
CCAFS SLC-17B GOES-A (GOES-1) Weather satellite GTO Success
105 1975-11-20
02:06
Delta 2910 Delta 117
Thor 604
CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 55 (AE-E) Atmospheric research satellite MEO Success
106 1975-12-13
01:56
Delta 3914 Delta 118
Thor 607
CCAFS SLC-17A Satcom-1 Communication satellite GTO Success First flight of the Delta 3000 series.
107 1976-01-17
23:28
Delta 2914 Delta 119
Thor 606
CCAFS SLC-17B CTS 1 Hermes Experimental communication satellite GTO Success
108 1976-02-19
22:32
Delta 2914 Delta 120
Thor 603
CCAFS SLC-17B Marisat-1 Communication satellite GTO Success
109 1976-03-26
22:42
Delta 3914 Delta 121
Thor 610
CCAFS SLC-17A Satcom-2 Communication satellite GTO Success
110 1976-04-22
20:46
Delta 2914 Delta 122
Thor 608
CCAFS SLC-17B NATO 3A Military communication satellite GTO Success
111 1976-05-04
08:00
Delta 2913 Delta 123
Thor 609
VAFB SLC-2W LAGEOS-1 Geodesic research satellite MEO Success
112 1976-06-10
00:09
Delta 2914 Delta 124
Thor 601
CCAFS SLC-17A Marisat-2 Communication satellite GTO Success
113 1976-07-08
23:31
Delta 2914 Delta 125
Thor 611
CCAFS SLC-17A Palapa-A1 Communication satellite GTO Success
114 1976-07-29
17:07
Delta 2310 Delta 126
Thor 605
VAFB SLC-2W NOAA-5 Weather satellite LEO / SSO Success
115 1976-10-14
22:44
Delta 2914 Delta 127
Thor 614
CCAFS SLC-17A Marisat-3 Communication satellite GTO Success
116 1977-01-28
00:49
Delta 2914 Delta 128
Thor 613
CCAFS SLC-17A NATO 3B Military communication satellite GTO Success
117 1977-03-10
23:16
Delta 2914 Delta 129
Thor 612
CCAFS SLC-17A Palapa-A2 Communication satellite GTO Success
118 1977-04-20
10:15
Delta 2914 Delta 130
Thor 617
CCAFS SLC-17B ESA-GEOS-1 Magnetosphere research satellite planned: GTO Partial failure Premature separation of second and third stages led to failure of Stage 3 spin up.
119 1977-06-16
10:51
Delta 2914 Delta 131
Thor 616
CCAFS SLC-17B GOES-B (GOES-2) Weather satellite GTO Success
120 1977-07-14
14:56
Delta 2914 Delta 132
Thor 618
CCAFS SLC-17B GMS-1 Weather satellite GTO Success
121 1977-08-25
23:50
Delta 2313 Delta 133
Thor 615
CCAFS SLC-17B Sirio-1 Experimental communication satellite GTO Success
122 1977-09-13
23:21
Delta 3914 Delta 134
Thor 619
CCAFS SLC-17A OTS-1 Experimental communication satellite planned: GTO Failure Launch vehicle exploded at T+52 seconds due to a rupture of the SRM #1 casing.
123 1977-10-22
13:53
Delta 2914 Delta 135
Thor 623
CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 56 (ISEE-A / B) Magnetospheric research satellites HEO Success
124 1977-11-23
01:35
Delta 2914 Delta 136
Thor 620
CCAFS SLC-17A Meteosat-1 Weather satellite GTO Success
125 1977-12-15
00:47
Delta 2914 Delta 137
Thor 624
CCAFS SLC-17B CS-1 Experimental communication satellite GTO Success
126 1978-01-26
17:36
Delta 2914 Delta 138
Thor 613
CCAFS SLC-17A Explorer 57 (International Ultraviolet Explorer) Astronomical observatory satellite HEO Success Satellite operational until 1996.
127 1978-03-05
17:54
Delta 2910 Delta 139
Thor 621
VAFB SLC-2W Landsat 3 OSCAR 8 Earth Resource Technology Satellite 917 km LEO, near polar, Sun synchronous. Success Satellite decommissioned on March 21, 1983.
128 7 April 1978
22:01
Delta 2914 Delta 140
Thor 626
CCAFS, SLC-17B BSE-1[12] Direct-broadcast satellite GTO Success First of Japanese BSE series, also known as "Yuri 1".
129 1978-05-11
22:59
Delta 3914 Delta 141
Thor 627
CCAFS SLC-17A OTS-2 Experimental communication satellite GTO Success
130 1978-06-16
10:49
Delta 2914 Delta 142
Thor 625
CCAFS SLC-17B GOES-C (GOES-3) Weather satellite GTO Success
131 1978-07-14
10:43
Delta 2914 Delta 143
Thor 631
CCAFS SLC-17A ESA-GEOS-2 Magnetosphere research satellite GTO Success
132 1978-08-12
15:12
Delta 2914 Delta 144
Thor 633
CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 59 (ISEE-3) Magnetospheric research satellite HEO to Sun-Earth L1 halo orbit
Eventually shifted to heliocentric
Success First satellite to use Lagrangian point and halo orbit
Later re-classified as the International Cometary Explorer. Satellite still operational as of 2014.[13]
133 1978-10-24
08:14
Delta 2910 Delta 145
Thor 630
VAFB SLC-2W Nimbus-7 / CAMEO Weather Satellite / Ionosphere research LEO / SSO Success
134 1978-11-19
00:46
Delta 2914 Delta 146
Thor 634
CCAFS SLC-17B NATO 3C Military communication satellite GTO Success
135 1978-12-16
00:21
Delta 3914 Delta 147
Thor 632
CCAFS SLC-17A Anik-B1 Communication Satellite GTO Success
136 1979-01-30
21:42
Delta 2914 Delta 148
Thor 629
CCAFS SLC-17B SCATHA (P78-2) Military technological research satellite HEO Success
137 1979-08-10
00:20
Delta 2914 Delta 149
Thor 638
CCAFS SLC-17A Westar-3 Communication Satellite GTO Success
138 1979-12-07
01:35
Delta 3914 Delta 150
Thor 622
CCAFS SLC-17A Satcom-3 Communication satellite GTO Success
139 1980-02-14
15:57
Delta 3910 151 (Thor 635) CCAFS LC-17A Solar Maximum Mission Solar observation satellite LEO Success
140 1980-09-09
22:27
Delta 3914 152 (Thor 637) CCAFS LC-17A GOES-D (GOES-4) Weather satellite GTO Success
141 1980-11-15
22:49
Delta 3910 153 (Thor 636) CCAFS LC-17A SBS-1 Communications satellite GTO Success
142 1981-05-22
22:29
Delta 3914 154 (Thor 645) CCAFS LC-17A GOES-E (GOES-5) Weather Satellite GTO Success
143 1981-08-03
09:56
Delta 3913 155 (Thor 642) VAFB LC-2W Explorer 62 / 63 (Dynamics Explorer-A/B) Magnetosphere research satellites MEO Success
144 1981-09-24
23:09
Delta 3910 156 (Thor 641) CCAFS LC-17A SBS-2 Communications satellite GTO Success
145 1981-10-06
11:27
Delta 2310 157 (Thor 639) CCAFS LC-17A Explorer 64 (Solar Mesosphere Explorer) / Oscar-9 Atmospheric research satellite / amateur radio satellite LEO Success
146 1981-11-20
01:37
Delta 3910 158 (Thor 640) CCAFS LC-17A Satcom 3R Communications satellite GTO Success
147 1982-01-16
01:54
Delta 3910 159 (Thor 643) CCAFS LC-17A Satcom 4 Communications satellite GTO Success
148 1982-02-26
00:04
Delta 3910 160 (Thor 644) CCAFS LC-17A Westar 4 Communications satellite GTO Success
149 1982-04-10
06:47
Delta 3910 161 (Thor 647) CCAFS LC-17A Insat 1A Communications satellite GTO Success
150 1982-06-09
00:24
Delta 3910 162 (Thor 649) CCAFS LC-17A Westar 5 Communications satellite GTO Success
151 1982-07-16
17:59
Delta 3920 163 (Thor 648) VAFB LC-2W Landsat 4 Earth observation satellite LEO Success
152 1982-08-26
23:10
Delta 3920 164 (Thor 651) CCAFS LC-17B Anik D1 Communications satellite GTO Success
153 1982-10-28
01:27
Delta 3924 165 (Thor 652) CCAFS LC-17B Satcom 5 Communications satellite GTO Success
154 1983-01-25
02:17
Delta 3910 166 (Thor 650) VAFB LC-2W IRAS / PIX-2 Infrared Space telescope / Technological research LEO Success
155 1983-04-11
22:39
Delta 3924 167 (Thor 653) CCAFS LC-17B Satcom 6 Communications satellite GTO Success
156 1983-04-28
22:26
Delta 3914 168 CCAFS LC-17A GOES-F (GOES-6) Weather Satellite GTO Success
157 1983-05-26
15:18
Delta 3914 169 VAFB LC-2W EXOSAT X-ray Space telescope HEO Success
158 1983-06-28
23:08
Delta 3920 170 CCAFS LC-17B Galaxy 1 Communications satellite GTO Success
159 1983-07-28
22:49
Delta 3920 171 CCAFS LC-17A Telstar-3A Communications satellite GTO Success
160 1983-09-08
22:52
Delta 3920 172 CCAFS LC-17B Satcom 7 Communications satellite GTO Success
161 1983-09-22
22:16
Delta 3920 173 CCAFS LC-17A Galaxy 2 Communications satellite GTO Success
162 1984-03-01
17:59
Delta 3920 174 VAFB LC-2W Landsat 5 / Oscar-11 Earth observation satellite / Amateur radio satellite LEO Success
163 1984-08-16
14:30
Delta 3924 175 CCAFS LC-17A Explorer 65 (Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers-1/2/3) Magnetosphere research satellites HEO Success
164 1984-09-21
22:18
Delta 3920 176 CCAFS LC-17B Galaxy-3 Communications satellite GTO Success
165 1984-11-14
00:34
Delta 3914 177 CCAFS LC-17A NATO-3D Military communications satellite GTO Success
166 1986-05-03
22:18
Delta 3914 178 CCAFS LC-17A GOES-G Weather Satellite planned: GTO Failure Electric failure in first stage caused the rocket to lose control and was destroyed 90 seconds into flight
167 1986-09-05
15:08
Delta 3920 180 CCAFS LC-17B Vector Sum Experiment (USA-19) Experimental on-orbit ASAT test satellite LEO Success
168 1987-02-26
23:05
Delta 3914 179 CCAFS LC-17A GOES-H (GOES-7) Weather Satellite GTO Success
169 1987-03-20
22:22
Delta 3920 182 CCAFS LC-17B Palapa B2P Communications satellite GTO Success
170 1988-02-08
22:07
Delta 3910 181 CCAFS LC-17B Thrusted Vector Experiment (USA-30) Experimental on-orbit ASAT test satellite LEO Success
171 1989-03-24
21:50
Delta 3920-8 183 CCAFS LC-17B Delta Star (USA-36) Experimental on-orbit ASAT test satellite LEO Success
172 1989-08-27
22:59
Delta 4925-8 [1] 187 CCAFS LC-17B BSB-R1 (Marcopolo 1) Communications satellite GTO Success
173 1989-11-18
14:34
Delta 5920-8 [2] 189 VAFB LC-2W COBE Cosmology observation satellite LEO[14] Success
174 June 12, 1990
05:52
Delta 4925-8 CCAFS LC-17B INSAT 1D Comsat GTO Success Comsat, Last Delta I launch

Orbital debris

[edit]

At least eight Delta rockets have contributed orbital debris in the Sun-synchronous low Earth orbit environment. The variant of the Delta upper stage that was used in the 1970s was found to be prone to in-orbit explosions. Starting in 1981, depletion burns – to get rid of excess propellant – became standard, and no Delta Rocket Bodies launched after 1981 experience severe fragmentations afterward, but some of those launched prior to 1981 continued to explode. In 1991, the Delta 1975-052B fragmented, 16 years after launch, demonstrating the resilience of the propellant.[15]

In 2017, Delta 1 Rocket Body 1968-114B, using an earlier less fragmentation-prone upper stage, fragmented into 17 pieces, nearly 50 years after launch. Though one possibility is that this rocket body exploded, the signature of the debris cloud is more indicative of a low-energy collision.[15]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Kruse, Richard. "Thor and Delta Rockets Overview". Historic Spacecraft. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  2. ^ a b Kyle, Ed. "Thor-Agena A and B: Photospy Launcher". Space Launch Report. Archived from the original on August 7, 2010. Retrieved 8 March 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ a b Jos Heyman (8 January 2008). "Delta beyond 1974 (incl. Delta II)". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
  4. ^ "Delta M". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 18 June 2012.
  5. ^ "Delta N". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 5 March 2008.
  6. ^ "Delta M6". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 2012-06-19.
  7. ^ "Delta N6". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 18 June 2012.
  8. ^ a b c "Chronology of Thor-Delta Development and Operations". NASA. Archived from the original on 18 November 2004. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  9. ^ "Delta Chronology". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008.
  10. ^ "Table1.32". NASA. Archived from the original on 2004-11-18. Retrieved 2007-03-12. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  11. ^ Chronology of Thor-Delta Development and Operations Archived 2004-11-18 at the Wayback Machine] Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  12. ^ "Display: Yuri 1 1978-039A". NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  13. ^ Morin, Monte (August 9, 2014). "Vintage ISEE-3 satellite makes long-awaited flyby on Sunday". The Los Angeles Times.
  14. ^ COBE orbit
  15. ^ a b "50-Year Old Rocket Stage Involved in Orbital Debris Event". 2 April 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2022.