Delta B
Function | Expendable launch system |
---|---|
Country of origin | United States |
Capacity | |
Payload toLEO | |
Altitude | 350 nautical miles (650 km; 400 mi) |
Mass | 800 pounds (360 kg)[1] |
Payload toEarth escape trajectory | |
Mass | 130 pounds (59 kg)[1] |
Launch history | |
Status | Retired[2] |
Launch sites | Cape CanaveralLC-17[3] |
Total launches | 9 |
Success(es) | 8 |
Failure(s) | 1 |
First flight | 13 December 1962 |
Last flight | 19 March 1964 |
TheDelta B,orThor-Delta Bwas an Americanexpendable launch systemused for nineorbitallaunches between 1962 and 1964.[3]A derivative of theThor-Delta,it was a member of theDeltafamily of rockets.[4]
The first stage was aThormissile in the DM-21 configuration, and the second stage was theAJ10-118,[1]which was derived from the earlierDelta-A.[4]AnAltairsolid rocket motorwas used as a third stage.[1]
All nine launches occurred fromCape Canaveral Air Force StationLaunch Complex 17.[3]Most of the launches carriedcommunications satellites,includingSyncom-1[2]andSyncom-2.[2]Syncom-1 was intended to be the first satellite to be placed into ageosynchronous orbit,however the spacecraft malfunctioned prior to reaching this orbit.[5]Syncom-2 subsequently became the first geosynchronous satellite,[5]and was placed at55° westof theGreenwich Meridian.The final launch failed due to third stage underperformance,[6]all other launches were successful.[3]
Delta B launches[edit]
Delta B was launched nine times:[3]
Date | Ser. | Launch site | Payload |
---|---|---|---|
13.12.1962 | Thor 355 Delta 15 | LC-17A | Relay 1 |
14.02.1963 | Thor 358 Delta 16 | LC-17B | Syncom 1 |
03.04.1963 | Thor 357 Delta 17 | LC-17B | Explorer 17 |
07.05.1963 | Thor 366 Delta 18 | LC-17B | Telstar 2 |
19.06.1963 | Thor 359 Delta 19 | LC-17B | TIROS 7 |
26.07.1963 | Thor 370 Delta 20 | LC-17A | Syncom 2 |
21.12.1963 | Thor 371 Delta 22 | LC-17B | TIROS 8 |
21.01.1964 | Thor 373 Delta 23 | LC-17B | Relay 2 |
19.03.1964 | Thor 391 Delta 24 | LC-17A | Explorer S-66(failed) |
References[edit]
- ^abcdLaunch Vehicles of the National Launch Vehicle Program(PDF)(Technical report). Washington, D.C.:NASA.November 1962. p. 7. N63-10712.Archived(PDF)from the original on December 6, 2022.RetrievedMay 31,2023.
- ^abcWade, Mark."Thor Delta B".Astronautix.Archivedfrom the original on May 15, 2023.RetrievedMay 31,2023.
- ^abcdeKrebs, Gunter D."Delta B".Gunter's Space Page.Archivedfrom the original on January 30, 2023.RetrievedMay 31,2023.
- ^abGraham, William (September 13, 2018)."The evolution of Thor – Delta II prepares for swansong".NASASpaceflight.p. 2.Archivedfrom the original on March 29, 2023.RetrievedMay 31,2023.
- ^abNASA, The First 25 Years: 1958 - 1983(PDF)(Technical report). Washington, D.C.:NASA.1983. p. 38.Archived(PDF)from the original on May 31, 2023.RetrievedMay 31,2023.
- ^"Satellite Rocket Failure Ends Winning Streak".Corpus Christi Times.Cape Kennedy.Associated Press. March 19, 1964. p. 1.Archivedfrom the original on May 31, 2023.RetrievedMay 31,2023– via Newspapers.