List of Delta 1 launches

## 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

[edit]

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

[edit]

### Launch outcome

[edit]

1962

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

* Failure
* Partial Failure
* Success

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

## 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. 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. 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]  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. 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.