| Function | Expendable launch system |
|---|---|
| Country-origin | United States |
| Sites | Cape Canaveral LC-17[2] |
| Launches | 9 |
| Success | 8 |
| Fail | 1 |
| Status | Retired[3] |
| First | 13 December 1962 |
| Last | 19 March 1964 |
| Location | LEO |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 350 nautical miles (650 km; 400 mi) |
| Mass | 800 pounds (360 kg)[1] |
| Location | Earth escape trajectory |
|---|---|
| Mass | 130 pounds (59 kg)[1] |
The Delta B, or Thor-Delta B was an American expendable launch system used for nine orbital launches between 1962 and 1964.[2] A derivative of the Thor-Delta, it was a member of the Delta family of rockets.[4]
The first stage was a Thor missile in the DM-21 configuration, and the second stage was the AJ10-118,[1] which was derived from the earlier Delta-A.[4] An Altair solid rocket motor was used as a third stage.[1]
All nine launches occurred from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 17.[2] Most of the launches carried communications satellites, including Syncom-1[3] and Syncom-2.[3] Syncom-1 was intended to be the first satellite to be placed into a geosynchronous orbit, however the spacecraft malfunctioned prior to reaching this orbit.[5] Syncom-2 subsequently became the first geosynchronous satellite,[5] and was placed at 55° west of the Greenwich Meridian. The final launch failed due to third stage underperformance,[6] all other launches were successful.[2]
Delta B launches
Delta B was launched nine times:[2]
| 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
- ^ Launch Vehicles of the National Launch Vehicle Program. Washington, D.C.: NASA. November 1962. p. 7. N63-10712. Archived December 6, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- ^ Krebs, Gunter D. "Delta B". Gunter's Space Page. Archived January 30, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- ^ Wade, Mark. "Thor Delta B". Astronautix. Archived May 15, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- ^ Graham, William (September 13, 2018). "The evolution of Thor – Delta II prepares for swansong". NASASpaceflight.com. p. 2. Archived March 29, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- ^ NASA, The First 25 Years: 1958 - 1983. Washington, D.C.: NASA. 1983. p. 38. Archived May 31, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- ^ "Satellite Rocket Failure Ends Winning Streak". Corpus Christi Times. Associated Press. March 19, 1964. p. 1. Archived May 31, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 31, 2023. – via Newspapers.com.