Delta B

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]

Delta B prior to the launch of TIROS-8
FunctionExpendable launch system
Country of originUnited States
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Altitude350 nautical miles (650 km; 400 mi)
Mass800 pounds (360 kg)[1]
Payload to Earth escape trajectory
Mass130 pounds (59 kg)[1]
Launch history
StatusRetired[2]
Launch sitesCape Canaveral LC-17[3]
Total launches9
Success(es)8
Failure(s)1
First flight13 December 1962
Last flight19 March 1964

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]

References

  1. 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.
  2. Wade, Mark. "Thor Delta B". Astronautix. Archived from the original on May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  3. Krebs, Gunter D. "Delta B". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. "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.


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