The Delta C, or Thor-Delta C was an American expendable launch system used for thirteen orbital launches between 1963 and 1969. It was a member of the Delta family of rockets.
 The first Delta C launches with Explorer 18 | |
| Function | Expendable launch system |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Douglas Aircraft Company |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | Cape Canaveral LC-17 |
| Total launches | 13 |
| Success(es) | 12 |
| Failure(s) | 1 |
| First flight | 27 November 1963 |
| Last flight | 22 January 1969 |
Configuration
editThe first stage was a Thor missile in the DSV-2A (MB-3-II) configuration, and the second stage was the Delta D (AJ-10-118D), which was derived from the earlier Delta.[1] The baseline Delta C used an Altair-2 (X-258) third stage,[1] whilst the Delta C1 had an FW-4D third stage, which provided a higher payload capacity than the Altair. It is unclear whether two or three launches were made using the C1 configuration.
Launches
editThe Delta C was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 17. Most launches carried NASA research satellites into low Earth orbit.[2][1]
| Variant | S/N | Date | Launch Site | Payload | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta C | 387/D-21 | 27.11.1963 | CC LC-17B | Explorer 18 (IMP A) | Success |
| Delta C | 392/D-26 | 04.10.1964 | CC LC-17A | Explorer 21 (IMP B) | Success |
| Delta C | 393/D-27 | 21.12.1964 | CC LC-17A | Explorer 26 (EPE D) | Success |
| Delta C | 374/D-28 | 22.01.1965 | CC LC-17A | TIROS 9 | Success |
| Delta C | 411/D-29 | 03.02.1965 | CC LC-17B | OSO 2 | Success |
| Delta C | 441/D-31 | 29.05.1965 | CC LC-17B | Explorer 28 (IMP C) | Success |
| Delta C | 415/D-32 | 02.07.1965 | CC LC-17B | TIROS 10 | Success |
| Delta C | 434/D-33 | 25.08.1965 | CC LC-17B | OSO C | Failure |
| Delta C | 445/D-36 | 03.02.1966 | CC LC-17A | ESSA 1 | Success |
| Delta C | 431/D-46 | 08.03.1967 | CC LC-17A | OSO 3 | Success |
| Delta C | 490/D-53 | 18.10.1967 | CC LC-17B | OSO 4 | Success |
| Delta C1 | 436/D-38 | 25.05.1966 | CC LC-17B | Explorer 32 (AE B) | Success |
| Delta C1 | 487/D-64 | 22.01.1969 | CC LC-17B | OSO 5 | Success |
References
edit- ^ a b c Krebs, Gunter. "Thor Family". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 2007-08-06. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
- ^ Wade, Mark. "Delta". Archived from the original on 2008-07-24.
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