.png) Delta B prior to the launch of TIROS-8 | |
| Function | Expendable launch system |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO | |
| Altitude | 350 nautical miles (650 km; 400 mi) |
| Mass | 800 pounds (360 kg)[1] |
| Payload to Earth escape trajectory | |
| Mass | 130 pounds (59 kg)[1] |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired[2] |
| Launch sites | Cape Canaveral LC-17[3] |
| Total launches | 9 |
| Success(es) | 8 |
| Failure(s) | 1 |
| First flight | 13 December 1962 |
| Last flight | 19 March 1964 |
The Delta B, or Thor-Delta B was an American expendable launch system used for nine orbital launches between 1962 and 1964.[3] 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.[3] Most of the launches carried communications satellites, including Syncom-1[2] and Syncom-2.[2] 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.[3]
- ^ a b c d Launch 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. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- ^ a b c Wade, Mark. "Thor Delta B". Astronautix. Archived from the original on May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Krebs, Gunter D. "Delta B". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- ^ a b Graham, William (September 13, 2018). "The evolution of Thor – Delta II prepares for swansong". NASASpaceflight.com. p. 2. Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- ^ a b NASA, 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. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- ^ "Satellite Rocket Failure Ends Winning Streak". Corpus Christi Times. Cape Kennedy. Associated Press. March 19, 1964. p. 1. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.