About the Delta 1 rockets
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]
13. 2 October 1962 – Explorer 14 (EPE-B).
14. 27 October 1962 – Explorer 15 (EPE-C).
Delta B
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
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[update] .
Launch history
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
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