List of Delta 1 launches

Last updated


About the Delta 1 rockets

Launch of the first Skynet satellite by Delta M launch vehicle in 1969 from Cape Canaveral Delta-M with Skynet-1A.jpg
Launch of the first Skynet satellite by Delta M launch vehicle in 1969 from Cape Canaveral

Delta A

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]

Contents

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

Delta B

The Delta B introduce 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

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

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

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

Delta F

This launch vehicle was not built. [3]

Delta G

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

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

This launch vehicle was not built. [3]

Delta L

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

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

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"

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]

Delta 0100-series

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

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

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

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

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

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

Launch outcome

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

NumberDate/time
(UTC)
Rocket S/N Launch sitePayloadFunctionOrbitOutcomeRemarks
11962-10-02
22:11:30
Delta A Thor 345
Delta 13
CCAFS LC-17B Explorer 14 Magnetospheric HEO SuccessMaiden flight of Delta A
21962-10-27
23:15:01
Delta AThor 346
Delta 14
CCAFS LC-17B Explorer 15 Radiation MEO SuccessFinal flight of Delta A
31962-12-13
23:30:01
Delta B Thor 355
Delta 15
CCAFS LC-17A Relay 1 CommunicationsMEOSuccessMaiden flight of Delta B
41963-02-14
05:35:08
Delta BThor 358
Delta 16
CCAFS LC-17B Syncom 1 Communications GTO SuccessElectronics failure on payload
51963-04-03
02:00:02
Delta BThor 357
Delta 17
CCAFS LC-17A Explorer 17 Atmospheric LEO Success
61963-05-07
11:38:03
Delta BThor 366
Delta 18
CCAFS LC-17B Telstar 2 Communications MEO Success
71963-06-19
09:50:01
Delta BThor 359
Delta 19
CCAFS LC-17B TIROS-7 WeatherSSOSuccess
81963-07-26
14:33:00
Delta BThor 370
Delta 20
CCAFS LC-17A Syncom 2 CommunicationsGTOSuccess
91963-11-27
02:30:01
Delta C Thor 387
Delta 21
CCAFS LC-17B Explorer 18 MagnetosphericHEOSuccessMaiden flight of Delta C
101963-12-21
09:30:00
Delta BThor 371
Delta 22
CCAFS LC-17B TIROS-8 WeatherSSOSuccess
111964-01-21
21:14:59
Delta BThor 373
Delta 23
CCAFS LC-17B Relay 2 CommunicationsMEOSuccess
121964-03-19
11:13:41
Delta BThor 391
Delta 24
CCAFS LC-17A BE-A IonosphericLEOFailureThird stage underperformed
131964-08-19
12:15:02
Delta DThor 417
Delta 25
CCAFS LC-17A Syncom 3 CommunicationsGTOSuccess
141964-10-04
03:45:00
Delta CThor 392
Delta 26
CCAFS LC-17A Explorer 21 MagnetosphericHEOPartial failureReached lower than planned orbit
151964-12-21
09:00:03
Delta CThor 393
Delta 27
CCAFS LC-17A Explorer 26 MagnetosphericMEOSuccess
161965-01-22
07:55
Delta C Thor 374
Delta 28
CCAFS LC-17A TIROS-9 Weather SatelliteLEO / SSOSuccess
171965-02-03
16:33
Delta C Thor 411
Delta 29
CCAFS LC-17B OSO-2 Solar observation satelliteLEOSuccess
181965-04-06
23:45
Delta D Thor 426
Delta 30
CCAFS LC-17A Intelsat I (Intelsat-1-1 / Early Bird)Communication satelliteGTOSuccessPerformed first transcontinental satellite TV broadcast.
191965-05-29
12:00
Delta C Thor 441
Delta 31
CCAFS LC-17B Explorer 28 (IMP-C)Interplanetary space research satelliteHEOSuccess
201965-07-02
04:04
Delta C Thor 415
Delta 32
CCAFS LC-17B TIROS-10 Weather SatelliteLEO / SSOSuccess
211965-08-25
15:17
Delta C Thor 434
Delta 33
CCAFS LC-17B OSO-C Solar observation satelliteplanned: LEOFailureThird stage ignited while still attached to the second stage.
221965-11-06
18:43
Delta E Thor 457
Delta 34
CCAFS LC-17A Explorer 29 (GEOS-A)Geodetic research satelliteMEOSuccess
231965-12-16
07:31
Delta E Thor 460
Delta 35
CCAFS LC-17A Pioneer 6 Interplanetary space research probeHeliocentricSuccessProbe continues to work as of late 2000.
241966-02-03
07:41
Delta C Thor 445
Delta 36
CCAFS LC-17A ESSA-1 Weather SatelliteLEO / SSOSuccess
251966-02-28
13:58
Delta E Thor 461
Delta 37
CCAFS LC-17B ESSA-2 Weather SatelliteLEO / SSOSuccess
261966-05-25
14:00
Delta C1 Thor 436
Delta 38
CCAFS LC-17B Explorer 32 (AE-B)Atmospheric research SatelliteLEOSuccess
271966-07-01
16:04
Delta E1 Thor 467
Delta 39
CCAFS LC-17A Explorer 33 (IMP-D)Magnetosphere research SatelliteHEOSuccess
281966-08-17
15:20
Delta E1 Thor 462
Delta 40
CCAFS LC-17A Pioneer 7 Interplanetary space research probeHeliocentricSuccess
291966-10-02
10:34
Delta E Thor 463
Delta 41
VAFB SLC-2E ESSA-3 Weather SatelliteLEO / SSOSuccessFirst Delta launch from VAFB
301966-10-26
23:05
Delta E1 Thor 464
Delta 42
CCAFS SLC-17B Intelsat 2-1 Communication SatelliteGTOSuccess
311966-12-14
19:26
Delta G Thor 471
Delta 43
CCAFS LC-17A Biosatellite 1 Life science research satelliteLEOSuccess
321967-01-11
10:55
Delta E1 Thor 468
Delta 44
CCAFS SLC-17B Intelsat 2-2 Communication SatelliteGTOSuccess
331967-01-26
17:31
Delta E Thor 472
Delta 45
VAFB SLC-2E ESSA-4 Weather SatelliteLEO / SSOSuccess
341967-03-08
16:19
Delta C Thor 431
Delta 46
CCAFS LC-17A OSO-3 Solar observation satelliteLEOSuccess
351967-03-23
01:30
Delta E1 Thor 470
Delta 47
CCAFS SLC-17B Intelsat 2-3 Communication SatelliteGTOSuccess
361967-04-20
11:17
Delta E Thor 484
Delta 48
VAFB SLC-2E ESSA-5 Weather SatelliteLEO / SSOSuccess
371967-05-24
14:06
Delta E1 Thor 486
Delta 49
VAFB SLC-2E Explorer 34 (IMP-F)Interplanetary space research satelliteHEOSuccess
381967-07-19
14:19
Delta E1 Thor 488
Delta 50
CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 35 (IMP-E)Interplanetary space research satelliteLunar OrbitSuccess
391967-09-07
22:04
Delta G Thor 475
Delta 51
CCAFS LC-17B Biosatellite 2 Life science research satelliteLEOSuccess
401967-09-28
00:45
Delta E1 Thor 442
Delta 52
CCAFS SLC-17B Intelsat 2-4 Communication SatelliteGTOSuccess
411967-10-18
16:04
Delta C Thor 490
Delta 53
CCAFS LC-17B OSO-4 Solar observation satelliteLEOSuccess
421967-11-10
18:00
Delta E1 Thor 480
Delta 54
VAFB SLC-2E ESSA-6 Weather SatelliteLEO / SSOSuccess
431967-12-13
14:08
Delta E1 Thor 489
Delta 55
CCAFS LC-17B Pioneer 8 / TTS-1 Interplanetary space research probe / Technology demonstration satelliteHeliocentricSuccess
441968-01-11
16:19
Delta E1 Thor 454
Delta 56
VAFB SLC-2E Explorer 36 (GEOS-B)Geodetic research satelliteLEO / SSOSuccess
451968-07-04
17:31
Delta J Thor 476
Delta 57
VAFB SLC-2E Explorer 38 (RAE-A)Radio astronomy satelliteMEOSuccess
461968-08-16
11:31
Delta N Thor 528
Delta 58
VAFB SLC-2E ESSA-7 Weather SatelliteLEO / SSOSuccessMaiden Flight of the Long Tank Thor-Delta
471968-09-19
00:09
Delta M Thor 529
Delta 59
CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-1 Communication Satelliteplanned: GTOFailurePitch gyroscope failure led to loss of control starting at T+20 seconds. RSO T+110 seconds.
481968-11-08
09:46
Delta E1 Thor 479
Delta 60
CCAFS LC-17B Pioneer 9 / TTS-2 Interplanetary space research probe / Technology demonstration satelliteHeliocentricSuccess
491968-12-05
18:55
Delta E1 Thor 481
Delta 61
CCAFS LC-17B HEOS-A Magnetosphere research satelliteHEOSuccess
501968-12-15
17:17
Delta N Thor 532
Delta 62
VAFB SLC-2E ESSA-8 Weather SatelliteLEO / SSOSuccess
511968-12-19
00:32
Delta M Thor 536
Delta 63
CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-2 Communication SatelliteGTOSuccess
521969-01-22
16:48
Delta C1 Thor 487
Delta 64
CCAFS LC-17B OSO-5 Solar observation satelliteLEOSuccess
531969-01-30
06:43
Delta E1 Thor 485
Delta 65
VAFB SLC-2E ISIS-I Ionosphere research satelliteMEOSuccess
541969-02-06
00:39
Delta M Thor 530
Delta 66
CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-3 Communication SatelliteGTOSuccess
551969-02-26
07:47
Delta E1 Thor 483
Delta 67
CCAFS SLC-17B ESSA-9 Weather SatelliteLEO / SSOSuccess
561969-05-22
02:00
Delta M Thor 533
Delta 68
CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-4 Communication SatelliteGTOSuccess
571969-06-21
08:53
Delta E1 Thor 482
Delta 69
VAFB SLC-2W Explorer 41 (IMP-G)Interplanetary space research satelliteHEOSuccess
581969-06-29
13:26
Delta N Thor 539
Delta 70
CCAFS SLC-17A Biosatellite 3 Life science research satelliteLEOSuccess
591969-07-26
02:06
Delta M Thor 547
Delta 71
CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-5 Communication Satelliteplanned: GTOPartial failureStage 3 motor case ruptured, leaving spacecraft in unusable orbit
601969-08-09
07:32
Delta N Thor 548
Delta 72
CCAFS LC-17A OSO-6 / PAC-1Solar observation satellite / Technology testGTOSuccess
611969-08-27
21:59
Delta L Thor 540
Delta 73
CCAFS LC-17A Pioneer E / TTS-3 Interplanetary space research probe / Technology demonstration satelliteplanned: HeliocentricFailureDefective 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.
621969-11-22
00:37
Delta M Thor 554
Delta 74
CCAFS SLC-17A Skynet 1A Military communication SatelliteGTOSuccess
631970-01-15
00:16
Delta M Delta 75
Thor 557
CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-6 Communication satelliteGTOSuccess
641970-01-23
11:52
Delta N6 Delta 76
Thor 542
VAFB SLC-2W ITOS 1 / Oscar 5 Weather Satellite / Amateur radio satellite LEO / SSOSuccess
651970-03-20
23:46
Delta M Delta 77
Thor 558
CCAFS SLC-17A NATO 1 Military communication satelliteGTOSuccess
661970-04-23
00:46
Delta M Delta 78
Thor 559
CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-7 Communication satelliteGTOSuccess
671970-07-23
23:23
Delta M Delta 79
Thor 563
CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-8 Communication satelliteGTOSuccess
681970-08-19
12:11
Delta M Delta 80
Thor 561
CCAFS SLC-17A Skynet-1B Military communication satelliteGTOSuccess
691970-12-11
11:35
Delta N6 Delta 81
Thor 546
VAFB SLC-2W NOAA-1 Weather SatelliteLEO / SSOSuccess
801971-02-03
01:41
Delta M Delta 82
Thor 560
CCAFS SLC-17A NATO 2 Military communication satelliteGTOSuccess
711971-03-13
16:15
Delta M6 Delta 83
Thor 562
CCAFS SLC-17A Explorer 43 (IMP-H)Magnetosphere research satelliteHEOSuccess
721971-04-01
02:53
Delta E1 Delta 84
Thor 491
VAFB SLC-2E ISIS-II Ionosphere research satelliteLEO / SSOSuccess
731971-09-29
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=0.0184Success2nd 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]
741971-10-21
11:32
Delta N6 Delta 86
Thor 572
VAFB SLC-2E ITOS-B Weather Satelliteplanned: LEO / SSOFailure2nd 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.
751972-01-31
17:20
Delta L Delta 87
Thor 564
VAFB SLC-2E HEOS-2 Magnetosphere research satelliteHEOSuccess
761972-03-12
00:00
Delta N Delta 88
Thor 573
VAFB SLC-2E TD-1A Astronomical research satelliteLEO / SSOSuccess
771972-07-23
18:06
Delta 904 [11] Delta 89
Thor 574
VAFB SLC-2W Landsat 1 Earth Resource Technology Satellite917 km LEO, near polar, Sun synchronous.SuccessFirst use of 9 strap-on SRBs. Discovered Landsat Island.
781972-09-23
13:20
Delta 1604 Delta 90
Thor 579
CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 47 (IMP-I)Magnetospheric research satelliteHEOSuccessFirst successful flight of Delta-1000 series.
7915 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
801972-11-10
01:14
Delta 1914 Delta 92
Thor 580
CCAFS SLC-17B Anik-A1 Communication SatelliteGTOSuccess
811972-12-11
07:56
Delta 900 Delta 93
Thor 577
VAFB SLC-2W Nimbus-5 Weather SatelliteLEO / SSOSuccess
821973-04-20
23:47
Delta 1914 Delta 94
Thor 583
CCAFS SLC-17B Anik-A2 Communication SatelliteGTOSuccess
831973-06-10
14:13
Delta 1913 Delta 95
Thor 581
CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 49 (RAE-B)Radio astronomy satelliteLunar OrbitSuccess
841973-07-16
17:10
Delta 300 Delta 96
Thor 578
VAFB SLC-2W ITOS-E Weather Satelliteplanned: LEO / SSOFailureHydraulic pump malfunction led to failure of the 2nd stage attitude control system. The booster and payload reentered the atmosphere and broke up.
851973-10-26
02:26
Delta 1604 Delta 97
Thor 582
CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 50 (IMP-J)Magnetospheric research satelliteHEOSuccess
861973-11-06
14:02
Delta 300 Delta 98
Thor 576
VAFB SLC-2W NOAA-3 Weather SatelliteLEO / SSOSuccess
871973-12-16
06:18
Delta 1900 Delta 99
Thor 585
VAFB SLC-2W Explorer 51 (AE-C)Atmospheric research satelliteMEOSuccess
881974-01-19
01:38
Delta 2313 Delta 100
Thor 587
CCAFS SLC-17B Skynet-2A Military communication satelliteplanned: GTOFailureFirst 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.
891974-04-13
21:33
Delta 2914 Delta 101
Thor 588
CCAFS SLC-17B Westar-1 Communication satelliteGTOSuccess
901974-05-17
10:31
Delta 2914 Delta 102
Thor 590
CCAFS SLC-17B SMS-1 Weather satelliteGTOSuccess
911974-10-10
22:53
Delta 2914 Delta 103
Thor 589
CCAFS SLC-17B Westar-2 Communication satelliteGTOSuccess
921974-11-15
17:11
Delta 2310 Delta 104
Thor 592
VAFB SLC-2W NOAA-4 / Oscar 7 / Intasat Weather Satellite / Amateur radio satellite / Ionosphere researchLEO / SSOSuccess
931974-11-23
00:28
Delta 2313 Delta 105
Thor 591
CCAFS SLC-17B Skynet-2B Military communication satelliteGTOSuccess
941974-12-19
02:39
Delta 2914 Delta 106
Thor 599
CCAFS SLC-17B Symphonie-1Communication satelliteGTOSuccess
951975-01-22
17:56
Delta 2910 Delta 107
Thor 598
VAFB SLC-2W Landsat 2 Earth Resource Technology Satellite917 km LEO, near polar, Sun synchronous.SuccessSatellite operated until Feb 25, 1982.
961975-02-06
22:04
Delta 2914 Delta 108
Thor 593
CCAFS SLC-17B SMS-2 Weather satelliteGTOSuccess
971975-04-10
23:50
Delta 1410 Delta 109
Thor 584
VAFB SLC-2W GEOS-C Geodetic research satelliteLEOSuccess
981975-05-07
23:35
Delta 2914 Delta 110
Thor 596
CCAFS SLC-17B Anik-A3 Communication SatelliteGTOSuccess
991975-06-12
08:12
Delta 2910 Delta 111
Thor 595
VAFB SLC-2W Nimbus-6 Weather SatelliteLEO / SSOSuccess
1001975-06-21
11:43
Delta 1910 Delta 112
Thor 586
CCAFS SLC-17B OSO-8 Solar observation satelliteLEOSuccess
1011975-08-09
01:47
Delta 2913 Delta 113
Thor 602
VAFB SLC-2W COS-B High-energy astronomy research satelliteHEOSuccess
1021975-08-27
01:42
Delta 2914 Delta 114
Thor 594
CCAFS SLC-17A Symphonie-2Communication satelliteGTOSuccess
1031975-10-06
09:01
Delta 2910 Delta 115
Thor 600
VAFB SLC-2W Explorer 54 (AE-D)Atmospheric research satelliteMEOSuccess
1041975-10-16
22:40
Delta 2914 Delta 116
Thor 597
CCAFS SLC-17B GOES-A (GOES-1)Weather satelliteGTOSuccess
1051975-11-20
02:06
Delta 2910 Delta 117
Thor 604
CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 55 (AE-E)Atmospheric research satelliteMEOSuccess
1061975-12-13
01:56
Delta 3914 Delta 118
Thor 607
CCAFS SLC-17A Satcom-1 Communication satelliteGTOSuccessFirst flight of the Delta 3000 series.
1071976-01-17
23:28
Delta 2914 Delta 119
Thor 606
CCAFS SLC-17B CTS 1 Hermes Experimental communication satelliteGTOSuccess
1081976-02-19
22:32
Delta 2914 Delta 120
Thor 603
CCAFS SLC-17B Marisat-1 Communication satelliteGTOSuccess
1091976-03-26
22:42
Delta 3914 Delta 121
Thor 610
CCAFS SLC-17A Satcom-2 Communication satelliteGTOSuccess
1101976-04-22
20:46
Delta 2914 Delta 122
Thor 608
CCAFS SLC-17B NATO 3A Military communication satelliteGTOSuccess
1111976-05-04
08:00
Delta 2913 Delta 123
Thor 609
VAFB SLC-2W LAGEOS-1 Geodesic research satelliteMEOSuccess
1121976-06-10
00:09
Delta 2914 Delta 124
Thor 601
CCAFS SLC-17A Marisat-2 Communication satelliteGTOSuccess
1131976-07-08
23:31
Delta 2914 Delta 125
Thor 611
CCAFS SLC-17A Palapa-A1 Communication satelliteGTOSuccess
1141976-07-29
17:07
Delta 2310 Delta 126
Thor 605
VAFB SLC-2W NOAA-5 Weather satelliteLEO / SSOSuccess
1151976-10-14
22:44
Delta 2914 Delta 127
Thor 614
CCAFS SLC-17A Marisat-3 Communication satelliteGTOSuccess
1161977-01-28
00:49
Delta 2914 Delta 128
Thor 613
CCAFS SLC-17A NATO 3B Military communication satelliteGTOSuccess
1171977-03-10
23:16
Delta 2914 Delta 129
Thor 612
CCAFS SLC-17A Palapa-A2 Communication satelliteGTOSuccess
1181977-04-20
10:15
Delta 2914 Delta 130
Thor 617
CCAFS SLC-17B ESA-GEOS-1 Magnetosphere research satelliteplanned: GTOPartial failurePremature separation of second and third stages led to failure of Stage 3 spin up.
1191977-06-16
10:51
Delta 2914 Delta 131
Thor 616
CCAFS SLC-17B GOES-B (GOES-2)Weather satelliteGTOSuccess
1201977-07-14
14:56
Delta 2914 Delta 132
Thor 618
CCAFS SLC-17B GMS-1 Weather satelliteGTOSuccess
1211977-08-25
23:50
Delta 2313 Delta 133
Thor 615
CCAFS SLC-17B Sirio-1 Experimental communication satelliteGTOSuccess
1221977-09-13
23:21
Delta 3914 Delta 134
Thor 619
CCAFS SLC-17A OTS-1 Experimental communication satelliteplanned: GTOFailureLaunch vehicle exploded at T+52 seconds due to a rupture of the SRM #1 casing.
1231977-10-22
13:53
Delta 2914 Delta 135
Thor 623
CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 56 (ISEE-A / B)Magnetospheric research satellitesHEOSuccess
1241977-11-23
01:35
Delta 2914 Delta 136
Thor 620
CCAFS SLC-17A Meteosat-1 Weather satelliteGTOSuccess
1251977-12-15
00:47
Delta 2914 Delta 137
Thor 624
CCAFS SLC-17B CS-1 Experimental communication satelliteGTOSuccess
1261978-01-26
17:36
Delta 2914 Delta 138
Thor 613
CCAFS SLC-17A Explorer 57 (International Ultraviolet Explorer)Astronomical observatory satelliteHEOSuccessSatellite operational until 1996.
1271978-03-05
17:54
Delta 2910 Delta 139
Thor 621
VAFB SLC-2W Landsat 3 OSCAR 8 Earth Resource Technology Satellite917 km LEO, near polar, Sun synchronous.SuccessSatellite decommissioned on March 21, 1983.
1287 April 1978
22:01
Delta 2914 Delta 140
Thor 626
CCAFS, SLC-17B BSE-1 [12] Direct-broadcast satellite GTO SuccessFirst of Japanese BSE series, also known as "Yuri 1".
1291978-05-11
22:59
Delta 3914 Delta 141
Thor 627
CCAFS SLC-17A OTS-2 Experimental communication satelliteGTOSuccess
1301978-06-16
10:49
Delta 2914 Delta 142
Thor 625
CCAFS SLC-17B GOES-C (GOES-3)Weather satelliteGTOSuccess
1311978-07-14
10:43
Delta 2914 Delta 143
Thor 631
CCAFS SLC-17A ESA-GEOS-2 Magnetosphere research satelliteGTOSuccess
1321978-08-12
15:12
Delta 2914 Delta 144
Thor 633
CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 59 (ISEE-3)Magnetospheric research satelliteHEO to Sun-Earth L1 halo orbit
Eventually shifted to heliocentric
SuccessFirst satellite to use Lagrangian point and halo orbit
Later re-classified as the International Cometary Explorer. Satellite still operational as of 2014. [13]
1331978-10-24
08:14
Delta 2910 Delta 145
Thor 630
VAFB SLC-2W Nimbus-7 / CAMEOWeather Satellite / Ionosphere researchLEO / SSOSuccess
1341978-11-19
00:46
Delta 2914 Delta 146
Thor 634
CCAFS SLC-17B NATO 3C Military communication satelliteGTOSuccess
1351978-12-16
00:21
Delta 3914 Delta 147
Thor 632
CCAFS SLC-17A Anik-B1 Communication SatelliteGTOSuccess
1361979-01-30
21:42
Delta 2914 Delta 148
Thor 629
CCAFS SLC-17B SCATHA (P78-2) Military technological research satelliteHEOSuccess
1371979-08-10
00:20
Delta 2914 Delta 149
Thor 638
CCAFS SLC-17A Westar-3 Communication SatelliteGTOSuccess
1381979-12-07
01:35
Delta 3914 Delta 150
Thor 622
CCAFS SLC-17A Satcom-3 Communication satelliteGTOSuccess
1391980-02-14
15:57
Delta 3910151 (Thor 635) CCAFS LC-17A Solar Maximum Mission Solar observation satellite LEO Success
1401980-09-09
22:27
Delta 3914152 (Thor 637) CCAFS LC-17A GOES-D (GOES-4)Weather satellite GTO Success
1411980-11-15
22:49
Delta 3910153 (Thor 636) CCAFS LC-17A SBS-1 Communications satellite GTO Success
1421981-05-22
22:29
Delta 3914154 (Thor 645) CCAFS LC-17A GOES-E (GOES-5)Weather Satellite GTO Success
1431981-08-03
09:56
Delta 3913155 (Thor 642) VAFB LC-2W Explorer 62 / 63 (Dynamics Explorer-A/B)Magnetosphere research satellites MEO Success
1441981-09-24
23:09
Delta 3910156 (Thor 641) CCAFS LC-17A SBS-2 Communications satellite GTO Success
1451981-10-06
11:27
Delta 2310157 (Thor 639) CCAFS LC-17A Explorer 64 (Solar Mesosphere Explorer) / Oscar-9 Atmospheric research satellite / amateur radio satellite LEO Success
1461981-11-20
01:37
Delta 3910158 (Thor 640) CCAFS LC-17A Satcom 3R Communications satellite GTO Success
1471982-01-16
01:54
Delta 3910159 (Thor 643) CCAFS LC-17A Satcom 4 Communications satellite GTO Success
1481982-02-26
00:04
Delta 3910160 (Thor 644) CCAFS LC-17A Westar 4 Communications satellite GTO Success
1491982-04-10
06:47
Delta 3910161 (Thor 647) CCAFS LC-17A Insat 1A Communications satellite GTO Success
1501982-06-09
00:24
Delta 3910162 (Thor 649) CCAFS LC-17A Westar 5 Communications satellite GTO Success
1511982-07-16
17:59
Delta 3920163 (Thor 648) VAFB LC-2W Landsat 4 Earth observation satellite LEO Success
1521982-08-26
23:10
Delta 3920164 (Thor 651) CCAFS LC-17B Anik D1 Communications satellite GTO Success
1531982-10-28
01:27
Delta 3924165 (Thor 652) CCAFS LC-17B Satcom 5 Communications satellite GTO Success
1541983-01-25
02:17
Delta 3910166 (Thor 650) VAFB LC-2W IRAS / PIX-2 Infrared Space telescope / Technological research LEO Success
1551983-04-11
22:39
Delta 3924167 (Thor 653) CCAFS LC-17B Satcom 6 Communications satellite GTO Success
1561983-04-28
22:26
Delta 3914168 CCAFS LC-17A GOES-F (GOES-6)Weather Satellite GTO Success
1571983-05-26
15:18
Delta 3914169 VAFB LC-2W EXOSAT X-ray Space telescope HEO Success
1581983-06-28
23:08
Delta 3920170 CCAFS LC-17B Galaxy 1 Communications satellite GTO Success
1591983-07-28
22:49
Delta 3920171 CCAFS LC-17A Telstar-3A Communications satellite GTO Success
1601983-09-08
22:52
Delta 3920172 CCAFS LC-17B Satcom 7 Communications satellite GTO Success
1611983-09-22
22:16
Delta 3920173 CCAFS LC-17A Galaxy 2 Communications satellite GTO Success
1621984-03-01
17:59
Delta 3920174 VAFB LC-2W Landsat 5 / Oscar-11 Earth observation satellite / Amateur radio satellite LEO Success
1631984-08-16
14:30
Delta 3924175 CCAFS LC-17A Explorer 65 (Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers-1/2/3)Magnetosphere research satellites HEO Success
1641984-09-21
22:18
Delta 3920176 CCAFS LC-17B Galaxy-3 Communications satellite GTO Success
1651984-11-14
00:34
Delta 3914177 CCAFS LC-17A NATO-3D Military communications satellite GTO Success
1661986-05-03
22:18
Delta 3914178 CCAFS LC-17A GOES-G Weather Satelliteplanned: GTO FailureElectric failure in first stage caused the rocket to lose control and was destroyed 90 seconds into flight
1671986-09-05
15:08
Delta 3920180 CCAFS LC-17B Vector Sum Experiment (USA-19)Experimental on-orbit ASAT test satellite LEO Success
1681987-02-26
23:05
Delta 3914179 CCAFS LC-17A GOES-H (GOES-7)Weather Satellite GTO Success
1691987-03-20
22:22
Delta 3920182 CCAFS LC-17B Palapa B2P Communications satellite GTO Success
1701988-02-08
22:07
Delta 3910181 CCAFS LC-17B Thrusted Vector Experiment (USA-30)Experimental on-orbit ASAT test satellite LEO Success
1711989-03-24
21:50
Delta 3920-8183 CCAFS LC-17B Delta Star (USA-36)Experimental on-orbit ASAT test satellite LEO Success
1721989-08-27
22:59
Delta 4925-8 187 CCAFS LC-17B BSB-R1 (Marcopolo 1) Communications satellite GTO Success
1731989-11-18
14:34
Delta 5920-8 189 VAFB LC-2W COBE Cosmology observation satellite LEO [14] Success
174June 12, 1990
05:52
Delta 4925-8 CCAFS LC-17B INSAT 1D Comsat GTO Success Comsat, Last Delta I launch

Orbital debris

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]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solid-propellant rocket</span> Rocket with a motor that uses solid propellants

A solid-propellant rocket or solid rocket is a rocket with a rocket engine that uses solid propellants (fuel/oxidizer). The earliest rockets were solid-fuel rockets powered by gunpowder; The inception of gunpowder rockets in warfare can be credited to ancient Chinese ingenuity, and in the 13th century, the Mongols played a pivotal role in facilitating their westward adoption.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Titan (rocket family)</span> Family of launch vehicles used in U.S. Air Force and space programs (1959–2005)

Titan was a family of United States expendable rockets used between 1959 and 2005. The Titan I and Titan II were part of the US Air Force's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) fleet until 1987. The space launch vehicle versions contributed the majority of the 368 Titan launches, including all the Project Gemini crewed flights of the mid-1960s. Titan vehicles were also used to lift US military payloads as well as civilian agency reconnaissance satellites and to send interplanetary scientific probes throughout the Solar System.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Multistage rocket</span> Most common type of rocket, used to launch satellites

A multistage rocket or step rocket is a launch vehicle that uses two or more rocket stages, each of which contains its own engines and propellant. A tandem or serial stage is mounted on top of another stage; a parallel stage is attached alongside another stage. The result is effectively two or more rockets stacked on top of or attached next to each other. Two-stage rockets are quite common, but rockets with as many as five separate stages have been successfully launched.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delta II</span> American space launch system

Delta II was an expendable launch system, originally designed and built by McDonnell Douglas, and sometimes known as the Thorad Delta 1. Delta II was part of the Delta rocket family, derived directly from the Delta 3000, and entered service in 1989. There were two main variants, the Delta 6000 and Delta 7000, with the latter also having "Light" and "Heavy" subvariants. During its career, Delta II flew several notable payloads, including 24 Global Positioning System (GPS) Block II satellites, several dozen NASA payloads, and 60 Iridium communication satellites. The rocket flew its final mission, ICESat-2, on 15 September 2018, earning the launch vehicle a streak of 100 successful missions in a row, with the last failure being GPS IIR-1 in 1997. In the late 1990s, Delta II was developed further into the unsuccessful Delta III, which was in turn developed into the more capable and successful Delta IV, though the latter shares little heritage with the original Thor and Delta rockets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delta (rocket family)</span> Rocket family

The Delta rocket family was a versatile range of American rocket-powered expendable launch systems that provided space launch capability in the United States from 1960 to 2024. Japan also launched license-built derivatives from 1975 to 1992. More than 300 Delta rockets were launched with a 95% success rate. The series was phased out in favor of the Vulcan Centaur, with the Delta IV Heavy rocket's last launch occurring on April 9, 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster</span> Solid propellant rocket used to launch Space Shuttle orbiter.

The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) was the first solid-propellant rocket to be used for primary propulsion on a vehicle used for human spaceflight. A pair of these provided 85% of the Space Shuttle's thrust at liftoff and for the first two minutes of ascent. After burnout, they were jettisoned and parachuted into the Atlantic Ocean where they were recovered, examined, refurbished, and reused.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solid rocket booster</span> Solid propellant motor used to augment the thrust of a rocket

A solid rocket booster (SRB) is a large solid propellant motor used to provide thrust in spacecraft launches from initial launch through the first ascent. Many launch vehicles, including the Atlas V, SLS and Space Shuttle, have used SRBs to give launch vehicles much of the thrust required to place the vehicle into orbit. The Space Shuttle used two Space Shuttle SRBs, which were the largest solid propellant motors ever built and the first designed for recovery and reuse. The propellant for each solid rocket motor on the Space Shuttle weighed approximately 500,000 kilograms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delta IV</span> Retired expendable launch system in the Delta rocket family

Delta IV was a group of five expendable launch systems in the Delta rocket family introduced in the early 2000s. Originally designed by Boeing's Defense, Space and Security division for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program, the Delta IV became a United Launch Alliance (ULA) product in 2006. The Delta IV was primarily a launch vehicle for United States Air Force (USAF) military payloads, but was also used to launch a number of United States government non-military payloads and a single commercial satellite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Titan IIIB</span>

Titan IIIB was the collective name for a number of derivatives of the Titan II ICBM and Titan III launch vehicle, modified by the addition of an Agena upper stage. It consisted of four separate rockets. The Titan 23B was a basic Titan II with an Agena upper stage, and the Titan 24B was the same concept, but using the slightly enlarged Titan IIIM rocket as the base. The Titan 33B was a Titan 23B with the Agena enclosed in an enlarged fairing, in order to allow larger payloads to be launched. The final member of the Titan IIIB family was the Titan 34B which was a Titan 24B with the larger fairing used on the Titan 33B.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Titan IIIC</span> Expendable launch system used by the US Air Force

The Titan IIIC was an expendable launch system used by the United States Air Force from 1965 until 1982. It was the first Titan booster to feature large solid rocket motors and was planned to be used as a launcher for the Dyna-Soar, though the spaceplane was cancelled before it could fly. The majority of the launcher's payloads were DoD satellites, for military communications and early warning, though one flight (ATS-6) was performed by NASA. The Titan IIIC was launched exclusively from Cape Canaveral while its sibling, the Titan IIID, was launched only from Vandenberg AFB.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlas II</span> American rocket

Atlas II was a member of the Atlas family of launch vehicles, which evolved from the successful Atlas missile program of the 1950s. The Atlas II was a direct evolution of the Atlas I, featuring longer first stage tanks, higher-performing engines, and the option for strap-on solid rocket boosters. It was designed to launch payloads into low Earth orbit, geosynchronous transfer orbit or geosynchronous orbit. Sixty-three launches of the Atlas II, IIA and IIAS models were carried out between 1991 and 2004; all sixty-three launches were successes, making the Atlas II a highly reliable space launch system. The Atlas line was continued by the Atlas III, used between 2000 and 2005, and the Atlas V which is still in use.

Delta III was an expendable launch vehicle made by McDonnell Douglas. The vehicle was developed from the highly-successful Delta II to help meet the launch demand of larger satellites. The first Delta III launch was on August 26, 1998. Of its three flights, the first two were failures, and the third, though declared successful, reached the low end of its targeted orbit range and carried only a dummy (inert) payload. The Delta III could deliver up to 3,810 kg (8,400 lb) to geostationary transfer orbit, twice the payload of its predecessor, the Delta II. Under the four-digit designation system from earlier Delta rockets, the Delta III is classified as the Delta 8930.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castor (rocket stage)</span> Solid-fuel orbital vehicle component

Castor is a family of solid-fuel rocket stages and boosters built by Thiokol and used on a variety of launch vehicles. They were initially developed as the second-stage motor of the Scout rocket. The design was based on the MGM-29 Sergeant, a surface-to-surface missile developed for the United States Army at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlas (rocket family)</span> Family of American missiles and space launch vehicles

Atlas is a family of US missiles and space launch vehicles that originated with the SM-65 Atlas. The Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program was initiated in the late 1950s under the Convair Division of General Dynamics. Atlas was a liquid propellant rocket burning RP-1 kerosene fuel with liquid oxygen in three engines configured in an unusual "stage-and-a-half" or "parallel staging" design: two outboard booster engines were jettisoned along with supporting structures during ascent, while the center sustainer engine, propellant tanks and other structural elements remained connected through propellant depletion and engine shutdown.

Thor was a US space launch vehicle derived from the PGM-17 Thor intermediate-range ballistic missile. The Thor rocket was the first member of the Delta rocket family of space launch vehicles. The last launch of a direct derivative of the Thor missile occurred in 2018 as the first stage of the final Delta II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delta L</span>

The Delta L, Thor-Delta L, or Thrust-Augmented Long Tank Thor-Delta was a US expendable launch system used to launch the Pioneer E and TETR satellites in 1969 (failed) and HEOS satellite in 1972. It was a member of the Delta family of rockets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delta N</span>

The Delta N or Thor-Delta N was an American expendable launch system used for nine orbital launches between 1968 and 1972. It was a member of the Delta family of rockets, and the last Delta to be given an alphabetical designation - subsequent rockets were designated using a four digit numerical code.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delta 1000</span>

The Delta 1000 series was an American expendable launch system which was used to conduct eight orbital launches between 1972 and 1975. It was a member of the Delta family of rockets. Several variants existed, differentiated by a four digit numerical code. Delta 1000 was developed by McDonnell Douglas company in 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delta 2000</span> Series of American expendable launch systems

The Delta 2000 series was an American expendable launch system which was used to conduct forty-four orbital launches between 1974 and 1981. It was a member of the Delta family of rockets, sometimes called Thorad Delta. Several variants existed, which were differentiated by a four digit numerical code. The Delta 1000, 2000 and 3000 series used surplus NASA Apollo program rockets engines for its first and second stages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delta 3000</span> American rocket

The Delta 3000 series was an American expendable launch system which was used to conduct 38 orbital launches between 1975 and 1989. It was a member of the Delta family of rockets. Several variants existed, which were differentiated by a four digit numerical code.

References

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  14. COBE orbit
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