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Thor Delta

by Jean-Jacques Serra
listing by Gunter Krebs

At the end of 1958, not long after NASA was founded, the necessity of a new civilian launcher arose. This vehicle was to be available quickly until the arrival of the Atlas and Centaur. The basic stage could only be Thor associated with one of the 3 top stages available: Able, Ablestar and Agena. Refering to the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet NASA named this new stage Delta in January 1959. Three months later the construction was granted to Douglas Aircraft (a dozen rockets were ordered) and the naming Thor Delta (or simply Delta) was adopted.

The original Delta was almost identical to Thor Able: first stage was Thor, and the second and third stage was inherited from Vanguard. The improvments were in the field of inertial guiding and active piloting during the ballistic phase between shutdown of the second stage and ignition of the third stage. This first version was 27.8 m high and weighed 51 tons; it could put 45 kg in LEO.

Its first launch on 13 May 1960 ended in a failure; the third stage didn't work. But the 12 August the second Delta was successful in orbiting Echo 1; this was the first of 22 successes. NASA went on using such launchers because of their reliability and their low cost and because of the improvements made by Douglas then McDonnell Douglas.

The A version (1962) resulted of the use of the MB3-3 motor; the B version (1962) of the lengthening of the second stage; the C version (1963) had a new third stage; the D version (1964) had Castor boosters added to the first stage. The TAD (Thrust Augmented Delta) could place 450 kg on a 800 km orbit.

The second stage was replaced in the E version (1965) resulting in the TAID (Thrust Augmented Improved Delta). The diameter of the second stage changed from 0.92 m to 1.43 m. This tripled the combustion time. The LTTAD (Long Tank Thrust Augmented Delta) appeared in the M version in 1968. the M-6 version of 1969 featured 6 Castor boosters; 3 ignited at takeoff and the others burned after the first ones shutdowned. Then not 6 but 9 boosters were included which enabled Delta to deliver 350 kg in GEO and 650 kg in a 550 km circular orbit (in 2-stage configuration).

"Straight 8" appeared in the early 70ies; this Delta version had a constant diameter: 2.44 m (8 ft). The version naming changed at the same time to become a 4-digit number: the two first digits specify the type of the first stage and the number of strap-on boosters. The two last digits refer to the type of the second and the third stage.

The 2910 version featured a Rocketdyne RS-27 first stage motor burning during 225 seconds and 9 Castor-2 boosters. The second stage was made from an Aerojet AJ10-118F motor (aerozin 50 & N204) delivering 4.3 t thrust during 320 seconds or a TRW TR-201 motor derived from the Lem descent motor using the same propellants. The 2-stage 2910 Delta could deliver 2 tons in orbit. The 3-stage 2914 version launched for the first time in 1972 featured a Thiokol TE 364-4 third stage motor providing 6.5 tons thrust during 44 seconds; it could launch 720 kg payloads in geosynchronous orbit.

The 2900 series was to be the last Delta series but as the Shuttle wasn't operational before 1980 NASA ordered the development of a new series for heavier payloads.

The 3914 Delta appeared in 1975. This version had its Castor-2s replaced by Castor-4s of 1 m diameter and 10 m high providing each 42 tons thrust during 56 seconds. The GEO capacity reached 930 kg. In 1980 as the third stage was replaced by a PAM-D (Payload Assist Module / Delta) equipped with a Thiokol Star 48 engine capable of 8.6 tons thrust during 85 seconds; Delta 3910 PAM peformance reached 1090 kg in GEO. In 1982 the second stage was replaced by a larger version (+30% propellant) with an Aerojet AJ10-118K (borrowed from Titan-3's Transtage) providing 4.35 tons thrust during 430 seconds. This Delta 3920 PAM of 35.5 m high could launch 1250 kg in GEO.

In 1984 NASA transfered Delta to a private company: Transpace Carrier Inc. At the end on the year it was believed that the launcher would be abandonned and replaced by the Shuttle. But after Challenger's accident in 1986 the launcher reappeared.

In 1987 the improved Delta was selected by the USAF as Medium Launch Vehicle (MLV) to place in orbit the second generation of Navstar satellites. The new launched was named Delta-2 and was designed in two stages: first the 6920 series then the 7920 series. The 6925 version was derived from Delta 3920 PAM by replacing the boosters by Castor-4As and lengthening the first stage of 3.65 m, extending the burn duration to 265 seconds. The diameter of the bulb cap was upped to 2.83 m. The launcher which first flew in 1989 was 39.6 m high, weighed 215 tons and could place 1400 kg in GEO.

The latest version is model 7925 which first launch occured in 1991. Its first stage is equipped with a RS-27 motor which nozzle was lengthened (12:1 instead of 8:1). The Thiokol boosters were replaced by Hercules GEM (Graphite Epoxy Motors) with weight reduced structure. Those boosters are 12 m long, weigh over 12.7 tons and provide 4.8 tons thrust. Delta 7925 weighs 225 tons and can place 1610 kg in GEO.

Current versions


Model Description
7320 Delta II Lite with 3 strapons
7326 Delta II Lite with 3 strapons and Star 37FM third stage
7420 Delta II Lite with 4 strapons
7425 Delta II Lite with 4 strapons and PAM-D (Star 48) stage
7426 Delta II Lite with 4 strapons and Star 37FM
7920 Delta II standard, LEO missions
7925 Delta II with PAM-D third stage for GEO and escape missions
8930 Delta III with GEM LDXL strapons and LH2/LOX second stage


Delta in its different Delta-1 configurations launched numerous satellites on various orbits especially scientific satellites:
- with low perigee ( ADE)
- with high apogee ( IMP, ISEE 1 & ISEE 2, Exosat)
- in lunar orbit (IMP-F, RAE-B)
- to the Solar-Earth Lagrange point (ISEE-3)
- and interplanetary probes (Pioneer, ICE former-ISEE-3)

Among the scientific mission satellites some were launched:
- with collaboration ( ISEE, IUE, AMPTE)
- for foreign states ( Ariel, Isis, IRAS)
- or for international organizations ( Heos, TD 1A, ISEE 2, COS B, ESA-Geos 1, ESA-Geos 2, Exosat)

Application missions were aimed at:
- meteorology ( Tiros, Essa, Itos / NOAA, Nimbus, SMS, Goes)
- remote sensing ( Landsat)

Especially for telecommunication satellites such as:
- American satellites ( Telstar, Relay, Syncom, Westar, Satcom, SBS, Galaxy)
- International satellites ( Intelsat, NATO)
- or foreign satellites ( Skynet, Anik, Symphonie, CTS, Palapa, OTS, Sirio, Insat...)

Delta-2 versions were initially developped for the Navstar-2 satellites... but is not limited to them:
- scientific satellites ( Cobe, Rosat, EUVE, Geotail)
- telecommunication satellites ( BSB, Satcom, NATO,...)

Currently Delta is owned by McDonnell Douglas

Thor Delta launches


# Launch id Payload Launch date Site Type Status (orbit in perigee x apogee x inc. x period)
1 n/a Echo 1 13 May 1960 C DM19 Failure
2 60009 Echo 1A 12 Aug 1960 C DM19  
3 60016 Tiros 02 23 Nov 1960 C DM19  
4 61010 Explorer 10 25 Mar 1961 C DM19  
5 61017 Tiros 03 12 Jul 1961 C DM19  
6 61020 Explorer 12 15 Aug 1961 C DM19  
7 62002 Tiros 04 08 Feb 1962 C DM19  
8 62006 OSO 1 07 Mar 1962 C DM19  
9 62015 Ariel 1 26 Apr 1962 C DM19  
10 62025 Tiros 05 19 Jun 1962 C DM19  
11 62029 Telstar 1 10 Jul 1962 C DM19  
12 62047 Tiros 06 18 Sep 1962 C DM19  
13 62051 Explorer 14 02 Oct 1962 C A  
14 62059 Explorer 15 27 Oct 1962 C A  
15 62068 Relay 1 13 Dec 1962 C B  
16 63004 Syncom 1 14 Feb 1963 C B  
17 63009 Explorer 17 03 Apr 1963 C B  
18 63013 Telstar 2 07 May 1963 C B  
19 63024 Tiros 07 19 Jun 1963 C B  
20 63031 Syncom 2 26 Jul 1963 C B  
21 63046 Explorer 18 27 Nov 1963 C C  
22 63054 Tiros 08 21 Dec 1963 C B  
23 64003 Relay 2 21 Jan 1964 C B  
24 n/a Explorer (BE A) 19 Mar 1964 C B Failure
25 64047 Syncom 3 19 Aug 1964 C D  
26 64060 Explorer 21 04 Oct 1964 C C  
27 64086 Explorer 26 21 Dec 1964 C C  
28 65004 Tiros 09 22 Jan 1965 C C  
29 65007 OSO 2 03 Feb 1965 C C  
30 65028 Intelsat 101 06 Apr 1965 C D  
31 65042 Explorer 28 29 May 1965 C C  
32 65051 Tiros 10 02 Jul 1965 C C  
33 n/a OSO C 25 Aug 1965 C C Failure
34 65089 Explorer 29 06 Nov 1965 C E  
35 65105 Pioneer-6 16 Dec 1965 C E Interplanetary probe
36 66008 Essa 1 03 Feb 1966 C C  
37 66016 Essa 2 28 Feb 1966 C E  
38 66044 Explorer 32 25 May 1966 C C1  
39 66058 Explorer 33 01 Jul 1966 C E1 30532 x 494230 x 29 x 19488
40 66075 Pioneer-7 17 Aug 1966 C E1 Interplanetary probe
41 66087 Essa 3 02 Oct 1966 V E  
42 66096 Intelsat 201 26 Oct 1966 C E1 Partial failure
43 66114 Biosat-1 14 Dec 1966 C G 295 x 309 x 33.5 x 90.4
44 67001 Intelsat 202 11 Jan 1967 C E1  
45 67006 Essa 4 26 Jan 1967 V E  
46 67020 OSO 3 08 Mar 1967 C C  
47 67026 Intelsat 203 23 Mar 1967 C E1  
48 67036 Essa 5 20 Apr 1967 V E  
49 67051 Explorer 34 24 May 1967 V E1  
50 67070 Explorer 35 (IMP) 19 Jul 1967 C E1 Lunar orbit
51 67083 Biosat-2 07 Sep 1967 C G 286 x 313 x 33.5 x 90.4
52 67094 Intelsat 204 28 Sep 1967 C E1  
53 67100 OSO 4 18 Oct 1967 C E1  
54 67114 Essa 6 10 Nov 1967 V C1  
55 67123 Pioneer-8
TATS 1 (TETR 1)
13 Dec 1967 C E1 Interplanetary probe
56 68002 Explorer 36 11 Jan 1968 V E1  
57 68055 Explorer 38 04 Jul 1968 V J  
58 68069 Essa 7 16 Aug 1968 V N  
59 n/a Intelsat 301 18 Sep 1968 C M Failure
60 68100 Pioneer-9
TETR 2
08 Nov 1968 C E1 Interplanetary probe
61 68109 Heos 1 05 Dec 1968 C E1  
62 68114 Essa 8 15 Dec 1968 V N  
63 68116 Intelsat 302 19 Dec 1968 C M  
64 69006 OSO 5 22 Jan 1969 C C1  
65 69009 Isis 1 30 Jan 1969 V E1  
66 69011 Intelsat 303 06 Feb 1969 C M  
67 69016 Essa 9 26 Feb 1969 C E1  
68 69045 Intelsat 304 22 May 1969 C M  
69 69053 Explorer 41 21 Jun 1969 V E1  
70 69056 Biosat-3 29 Jun 1969 C N  
71 69064 Intelsat 305 25 Jul 1969 C N Partial failure
72 69068 OSO 6 09 Aug 1969 C N  
73 n/a Pioneer-10A 28 Sep 1969 C L Failure
74 69101 Skynet 1A 22 Nov 1969 C M  
75 70003 Intelsat 306 15 Jan 1970 C M  
76 70008 Itos
Oscar 05
23 Jan 1970 V N6  
77 70021 Nato 1 20 Mar 1970 C M  
78 70032 Intelsat 307 23 Apr 1970 C M  
79 70055 Intelsat 308 23 Jul 1970 C M  
80 70062 Skynet 1B 19 Aug 1970 C M  
81 70106 NOAA 01
CEP 1
11 Dec 1970 V N6 CEP 1 was attached to the 2nd stage
82 71009 Nato 2 03 Feb 1971 C L  
83 71019 Explorer 43 13 Mar 1971 C M6  
84 71024 Isis 2 01 Apr 1971 V E1  
85 71083 OSO 7 29 Sep 1971 C N  
86 71091 ITOS-3/NOAA 21 Oct 1971 V N6 payload exploded?
87 72005 Heos 2 31 Jan 1972 V L  
88 72014 TD-1A 12 Mar 1972 V N  
89 72058 Landsat 1 23 Jul 1972 V 900  
90 72073 Explorer 47 23 Sep 1972 C 1604  
91 72082 NOAA 02 15 Oct 1972 V 300  
92 72090 Anik A1 10 Nov 1972 C 1914  
93 72097 Nimbus 5 11 Dec 1972 V 900  
94 73023 Anik A2 20 Apr 1973 C 1914  
95 73039 Explorer 49 (RAE B) 10 Jun 1973 C 1913 Lunar orbit
96 n/a Itos E 16 Jul 1973 V 300 Failure
97 73078 Explorer 50 26 Oct 1973 C 1604  
98 73086 NOAA 03 06 Nov 1973 V 300  
99 73101 Explorer 51 16 Dec 1973 V 900  
100 74002 Skynet 2A 19 Jan 1974 C 2913 Partial failure
101 74022 Westar 1 13 Apr 1974 C 2914  
102 74033 SMS 1 17 May 1974 C 2914  
103 74075 Westar 2 10 Oct 1974 C 2914  
104 74089 NOAA 04
Oscar 07
Intasat
15 Nov 1974 at 17:11 UT V 2310  
105 74094 Skynet 2B 23 Nov 1974 C 2913  
106 74101 Symphonie 1 19 Dec 1974 C 2914  
107 75004 Landsat 2 22 Jan 1975 V 2910  
108 75011 SMS 2 06 Feb 1975 C 2914  
109 75027 Geos 3 09 Apr 1975 V 2310  
110 75038 Anik A3 07 May 1975 C 2914  
111 75052 Nimbus 6 12 Jun 1975 V 2910  
112 75057 OSO 8 21 Jun 1975 C 2913  
113 75072 Cos B 09 Aug 1975 V 2914  
114 75077 Symphonie 2 27 Aug 1975 C 2914  
115 75096 Explorer 54 06 Oct 1975 V 2910  
116 75100 Goes 01 16 Oct 1975 C 2914  
117 75107 Explorer 55 20 Nov 1975 C 2910  
118 75117 Satcom 1 13 Dec 1975 C 3914  
119 76004 CTS 17 Jan 1976 C 2914  
120 76017 Marisat 1 19 Feb 1976 C 2914  
121 76029 Satcom 2 26 Mar 1976 C 3914  
122 76035 Nato 3A 22 Apr 1976 C 2914  
123 76039 Lageos 1 04 May 1976 V 2913  
124 76053 Marisat 2 10 Jun 1976 C 2914  
125 76066 Palapa A1 08 Jul 1976 C 2914  
126 76077 NOAA 05 29 Jul 1976 V 2310  
127 76101 Marisat 3 14 Oct 1976 C 2914  
128 77005 Nato 3B 28 Jan 1977 C 2914  
129 77018 Palapa A2 10 Mar 1977 C 2914  
130 77029 ESA-Geos 1 20 Apr 1977 C 2914  
131 77048 Goes 02 16 Jun 1977 C 2914  
132 77065 GMS 1 14 Jul 1977 C 2914  
133 77080 Sirio 1 25 Aug 1977 C 2913  
134 n/a OTS 1 13 Sep 1977 C 3914 Failure
135 77102 ISEE 1
ISEE 2
22 Oct 1977 C 2914  
136 77108 Meteosat 1 23 Nov 1977 C 2914  
137 77118 Sakura 1 15 Dec 1977 C 2914  
138 78012 IUE 26 Jan 1978 C 2914  
139 78026 Landsat 3
Oscar 08
PIX 1
5 Mar 1978 V 2910 PIX 1 was attached to the 2nd stage
140 78039 Yuri 1 07 Apr 1978 C 2914  
141 78044 OTS 2 11 May 1978 C 3914  
142 78062 Goes 03 16 Jun 1978 C 2914  
143 78071 ESA-Geos 2 14 Jul 1978 C 2914  
144 78079 ISEE-3 11 Aug 1978 C 2914 To the Lagrange point and then became ICE
145 78098 Nimbus 7
Cameo
24 Oct 1978 V 2910 Cameo was attached to the 2nd stage
146 78106 Nato 3C 19 Nov 1978 C 2914  
147 78116 Anik B1
Drims
16 Dec 1978 C 3914 Drims was attached to the 2nd stage
148 79007 Scatha (P78 2) 30 Jan 1979 C 2914 27800 x 42300 x 8.3 x 1441
149 79072 Westar 3 10 Aug 1979 C 2914  
150 79101 Satcom 3 07 Dec 1979 C 3914  
151 80014 SMM 14 Feb 1980 C 3910  
152 80074 Goes 04 09 Sep 1980 C 3914  
153 80091 SBS 1 15 Nov 1980 C 3910/PAM  
154 81049 Goes 05 22 May 1981 C 3914  
155 81070 Dynamics Explorer 1
Dynamics Explorer 2
03 Aug 1981 V 3913 Partial failure
156 81096 SBS 2 24 Sep 1981 C 3910/PAM  
157 81100 SME
Uosat 1
06 Oct 1981 V 2310  
158 81114 Satcom 3R 20 Nov 1981 C 3910/PAM  
159 82004 Satcom 4 16 Jan 1982 C 3910/PAM  
160 82014 Westar 4 26 Feb 1982 C 3910/PAM  
161 82031 Insat 1A 10 Apr 1982 C 3910/PAM  
162 82058 Westar 5 09 Jun 1982 C 3910/PAM  
163 82072 Landsat 4 16 Jul 1982 V 3920  
164 82082 Anik D1 26 Aug 1982 C 3920/PAM  
165 82105 Aurora 1 28 Oct 1982 C 3924  
166 83004 IRAS
PIX 2
26 Jan 1983 V 3910 PIX 2 was attached to the 2nd stage
167 83030 Satcom 1R 11 Apr 1983 C 3924  
168 83041 Goes 06 28 Apr 1983 C 3914  
169 83051 Exosat 26 May 1983 V 3914  
170 83065 Galaxy 1 28 Jun 1983 C 3920/PAM  
171 83077 Telstar 301 28 Jul 1983 C 3920/PAM  
172 83094 Satcom 2R 08 Sep 1983 C 3924  
173 83098 Galaxy 2 22 Sep 1983 C 3920/PAM  
174 84021 Landsat 5
Uosat 2
01 Mar 1984 V 3920  
175 84088 AMPTE CCE
AMPTE IRM
AMPTE UKS
16 Aug 1984 C 3924  
176 84101 Galaxy 3 21 Sep 1984 C 3920/PAM  
177 84115 Nato 3D 14 Nov 1984 C 3914  
178 n/a Goes G 03 May 1986 C 3914 Failure
179 86069 USA 019 (SDIO) 05 Sep 1986 C 3920  
180 87022 Goes 07 26 Feb 1987 C 3924  
181 87029 Palapa B2P 20 Mar 1987 C 3920/PAM  
182 88008 USA-30 (SDIO) 08 Feb 1988 C 3920 or 3910 220 x 340 x 28.6 x 90
183 89013 GPS BII-01 14 Feb 1989 C 6925  
184 89026 Delta Star 24 Mar 1989 C 3920  
185 89044 GPS BII-02 10 Jun 1989 C 6925  
186 89064 GPS BII-03 18 Aug 1989 C 6925  
187 89067 BSB 1 27 Aug 1989 C 4925  
188 89085 GPS BII-04 21 Oct 1989 C 6925  
189 89089 Cobe 18 Nov 1989 V 5920  
190 89097 GPS BII-05 11 Dec 1989 C 6925  
191 90008 GPS BII-06 24 Jan 1990 C 6925  
192 90015 USA 051 + 052
(LACE + RME; SDIO)
14 Feb 1990 C 6920-8 500 x 500 x 43.1
193 90025 GPS BII-07 26 Mar 1990 C 6925  
194 90034 Palapa B2R 13 Apr 1990 C 6925-8  
195 90049 Rosat 01 Jun 1990 C 6920-10  
196 90051 Insat 1D 12 Jun 1990 C 4925  
197 90068 GPS BII-08 02 Aug 1990 C 6925  
198 90074 BSB 2 19 Aug 1990 C 6925  
199 90088 GPS BII-09 01 Oct 1990 C 6925  
200 90093 Inmarsat 2F1 30 Oct 1990 C 6925  
201 90103 GPS BIIA-10 26 Nov 1990 C 7925  
202 91001 Nato 4A 08 Jan 1991 C 7925  
203 91018 Inmarsat 2F2 08 Mar 1991 C 6925  
204 91028 ASC 2 13 Apr 1991 C 7925  
205 91037 Aurora 2 29 May 1991 C 7925  
206 91047 GPS BIIA-11
Losat-X
04 Jul 1991 C 7925  
207 92009 GPS BIIA-12 23 Feb 1992 C 7925  
208 92019 GPS BIIA-13 10 Apr 1992 C 7925  
209 92027 Palapa B4 14 May 1992 C 7925-8  
210 92031 EUVE 07 Jun 1992 C 6920-10  
211 92039 GPS BIIA-14 07 Jul 1992 C 7925  
212 92044 Geotail
Duve
24 Jul 1992 C 6925 Duve was attached to the 2nd stage  
213 92057 Satcom C4 31 Aug 1992 C 7925  
214 92058 GPS BIIA-15 09 Sep 1992 C 7925  
215 92066 DFS 3 12 Oct 1992 C 7925  
216 92079 GPS BIIA-16 22 Nov 1992 C 7925  
217 92089 GPS BIIA-17 18 Dec 1992 C 7925  
218 93007 GPS BIIA-18 03 Feb 1993 C 7925  
219 93017 GPS BIIA-19
Seds 1
30 Mar 1993 C 17A 7925 Seds 1 was tethered to 2nd stage
220 93032 GPS BIIA-20 13 May 1993 C 7925  
221 93042 GPS BIIA-21
PMG
26 Jun 1993 C 7925 PMG was tethered to 2nd stage
222 93054 GPS BIIA-22 30 Aug 1993 C 17 7925  
223 93068 GPS BIIA-23 26 Oct 1993 C 17 7925  
224 93076 Nato 4B 08 Dec 1993 C 7925  
225 94013 Galaxy 1R 19 Feb 1994 C 17 7925-8  
226 94016 GPS BIIA-24
Seds 2
10 Mar 1994 C 17 7925 Seds 2 was tethered to 2nd stage
227 94071 Wind 1 01 Nov 1994 C 17B 7925-10  
228 95041 Koreasat 1 05 Aug 1995 C 17B 7925 Partial failure: a booster failed to separate
229 95059 Radarsat 1
Surfsat 1
04 Nov 1995 at 14:22 UT V 2 7920-10 Surfsat is attached to Delta's second stage
230 95074 XTE 30 Dec 1995 at 13:48 UT C 17A 7920-10  
231 96003 Koreasat 2 14 Jan 1996 at 11:11 UT C 17B 7925  
232 96008 NEAR probe 17 Feb 1996 at 20:43 UT C 17B 7925-8  
233 96011 Polar 24 Feb 1996 V 2 7925-10 185 x 50494 km x 86°
234 96019 GPS BIIA-25 28 Mar 1996 at 00:21 UT C 17A 7925 192 x 20269 km x 34.9°
235 96024 MSX 24 Apr 1996 at 12:27 UT V 2 7920-10  
236 96033 Galaxy 9 24 May 1996 at 01:10 UT C 17B 7925-8  
237 96041 GPS BIIA-26 16 Jul 1996 at 00:50 UT C 17B 7925  
238 96056 GPS BIIA-27 12 Sep 1996 at 08:49 UT C 17A 7925  
239 96062 Mars Global Surveyor 7 Nov 1996 C 7925  
240 96068 Mars Pathfinder 4 Dec 1996 C 7925  
241 n/a GPS BIIR-01 17 Jan 1997 at 16:28 UT C 17A 7925 Failure: was destroyed by controllers after 13 s flight. Caused damages to the launch pad. A split in the casing of one of nine solid rocket motors caused the accident.
242 97020 A: Iridium 08
B: Iridium 07
C: Iridium 06
D: Iridium 05
E: Iridium 04
5 May 1997 at 14:55 UT V 2 7920-10C 595 x 949 km x 86.7° initial orbit
243 97025 Thor 2 20 May 1997 at 22:39 UT C 17A 7925  
244 97034 A: Iridium 15
B: Iridium 17
C: Iridium 18
D: Iridium 20
E: Iridium 21
9 Jul 1997 at 13:04 UT V 2 7920-10C  
245 97035 GPS BIIR-02 23 Jul 1997 C 17A 7925  
246 97043 A: Iridium 26
B: Iridium 25
C: Iridium 24
D: Iridium 23
E: Iridium 22
21 Aug 1997 at 00:38 UT V 7920-10C  
247 97045 ACE 25 Aug 1997 at 14:39 UT C 17A 7920-8  
248 97056 A: Iridium 19
B: Iridium 37
C: Iridium 36
D: Iridium 35
E: Iridium 34
27 Sep 1997 at 01:23 UT V 2 7920-10C  
249 97067 GPS BIIR-02 6 Nov 1997 at 00:30 UT C 17A 7925  
250 97069 A: Iridium 43
B: Iridium 41
C: Iridium 40
D: Iridium 39
E: Iridium 38
9 Nov 1997 at 01:34 UT V 2 7920-10C  
251 97082 A: Iridium 45
B: Iridium 46
C: Iridium 47
D: Iridium 48
E: Iridium 49
20 Dec 1997 at 13:16 UT V 2 7920-10C  
252 98002 Skynet 4D 10 Jan 1998 at 00:32 UT C 17B 7925  
253 98008 A: Globalstar 1
B: Globalstar 2
C: Globalstar 3
D: Globalstar 4
14 Feb 1998 at 14:34 UT C 17A 7420-10C with satellite dispenser
254 98010 A: Iridium 50
B: Iridium 56
C: Iridium 52
D: Iridium 53
E: Iridium 54
18 Feb 1998 at 13:58 UT V 2 7920-10C  
255 98019 A: Iridium 55
B: Iridium 57
C: Iridium 58
D: Iridium 59
E: Iridium 60
30 Mar 1998 at 06:02 UT V 2 7920-10C  
256 98023 A: Globalstar 6
B: Globalstar 8
C: Globalstar 14
D: Globalstar 15
24 Apr 1998 at 22:38 UT C 17A 7420-10C  
257 98032 A: Iridium 70
B: Iridium 72
C: Iridium 73
D: Iridium 74
E: Iridium 75
17 May 1998 at 21:16 UT V 2 7920-10C  
258 98035 Thor 3 10 Jun 1998 at 00:35 UT C 17A 7925  
259 FTO Galaxy 10 27 Aug 1998 at 1:17 UT C 17B 8930 Failure: explosion 80 seconds after liftoff
260 98051 A: Iridium 77
B: Iridium 79
C: Iridium 80
D: Iridium 81
E: Iridium 82
8 Sep 1998 at 21:13 UT V 2 7920-10C  
261 98061 A: Deep Space
B: Sedsat
24 Oct 1998 at 12:08 UT C 17A 7326 Delta 7326 is a new variant of Delta II which uses three solid Alliant GEM-40 strapons
262 98066 A: Iridium 87
B: Iridium 86
C: Iridium 85
D: Iridium 84
E: Iridium 83
6 Nov 1998 at 13:37 UT V 2 7920-10C  
263 98068 Bonum 1 22 Nov 1998 at 23:54 UT C 17B 7925  
264 98073 Mars Climate Observer 11 Dec 1998 C 17A 7425  
265 99001 Mars Polar Lander 3 Jan 1999 at 20:21 UT C 17B 7425  
266 99003 Stardust 7 Feb 1999 at 21:04 UT C 17A 7426  
267 99008 A: Argos
B: Orsted
C: Sunsat
23 Feb 1999 at 10:30 UT V 2 7920  
268 99020 Landsat 7 15 Apr 1999 at 18:32 UT V 2 7920-10  
269 99024 Orion 3 3 May 1999 at 01:00 UT C 17B 8930 Failure: second stage failed to complete second burn (breach of the combustion chamber).
270 99031 A: Globalstar 52
B: Globalstar 49
C: Globalstar 25
D: Globalstar 47
10 Jun 1999 at 13:48 UT C 17B 7420-10  
271 99035 Fuse 24 Jun 1999 at 15:44 UT C 17A 7320  
272 99037 A: Globalstar 32
B: Globalstar 30
C: Globalstar 35
D: Globalstar 51
10 Jul 1999 at 08:45 UT C 17B 7420-10  
273 99041 A: Globalstar 26
B: Globalstar 28
C: Globalstar 43
D: Globalstar 48
25 Jul 1999 at 07:46 UT C 17A 7420-10  
274 99043 A: Globalstar 24
B: Globalstar 27
C: Globalstar 53
D: Globalstar 54
17 Aug 1999 at 04:37 UT C 17B 7420-10  
275 99055 GPS BIIR-03 7 Oct 1999 at 12:51 UT C17A 7925  
276 00008 A: Globalstar 60
B: Globalstar 62
C: Globalstar 63
D: Globalstar 64
8 Feb 2000 at 21:24 UT C17B 7420  
277 00017 Image 25 Mar 2000 at 20:34 UT V 2 7326  
278 00025 GPS BIIR-04 11 May 2000 at 01:48 UT C17A 7925  
279 00040 GPS BIIR-05 16 Jul 2000 at 09:17 UT C17A 7925  
280 00048 DM-F3 23 Aug 2000 at 13:05 UT C17B 8930 The payload is a dummy measuring satellite of 4463 kg (similar to an HS-601). Will support USAF calibration experiments. Mission worth $85 million
190 x 20655 km x 27.6°
281 00071 GPS BIIR-06 10 Nov 2000 at 17:14 UT C17A 7925  
282 00075 A: EO 1
B: SAC C
C: Munin
21 Nov 2000 at 18:24 UT V 2W 7320-10 First dual primary payload flight (DPAF structure)
283 01004 GPS BIIR-07 30 Jan 2001 at 07:55 UT C 17A 7925  
284 01014 Mars Odyssey 7 Apr 2001 at 17:02 UT C 7925  
285 01020 Geolite 18 May 2001 at 17:45 UT C 7925  
286 01027 MAP 30 Jun 2001 at 19:46 UT C 17B 7425-10C  
287 01034 Genesis 8 Aug 2001 at 16:13 UT C 17A 7326  
288 01047 Quickbird 2 18 Oct 2001 at 18:51 UT V 2W 7320-10C  
289 01055 A: Jason 1
B: Timed
7 Dec 2001 at 15:07 UT V 7920-10C 215 x 1343 km x 66.2°
290 02005 A: Iridium 90
B: Iridium 91
C: Iridium 94
D: Iridium 95
E: Iridium 96
11 Feb 2002 at 17:44 UT V 2W 7920-10C  
291 02022 EOS PM-1 4 May 2002 at 09:55 UT V 2W 7920-10L 10-m wide fairing
292 02034 Contour (Non-earth orbit satellite) 3 Jul 2002 at 06:47 UT C 17A 7425-9.5  
293 02051 Eutelsat W5 20 Nov 2002 at 22:39 UT C 37B 4240 First flight for Delta 4M+ (4,2)
538 x 35924 km x 13.49°
294 03002 A: Icesat
B: Chipsat
13 Jan 2003 at 00:45 UT V 2W 7320-10C  
295 03005 A: GPS BIIR-08
B: XSS 10
29 Jan 2003 at 18:06 UT C 17B 7925-9.5  
296 03008 DSCS 3-13 11 Mar 2003 at 00:59 UT C 37B 4040  
297 03010 GPS BIIR-09 31 Mar 2003 at 22:09 UT C 17A 7925  
298 03027 Mars Exploration Rover A (MER-2 Spirit) 10 Jun 2003 at 17:58 UT C 17A 7925-9.5  
299 03032 Mars Exploration Rover B (MER-1 Opportunity) 08 Jul 2003 at 02:35 UT C 17B 7925H Similar to 7925 but with larger GEM-46 boosters
300 03038 SIRTF (non earth orbit) (Spitzer Space Telescope) 25 Aug 2003 at 0535 UT C 17B 7920H No third stage
301 03040 DSCS 3-14 29 Aug 2003 at 23:13 UT C 37B 4040 234 x 35799 km x 25.49°
302 03058 GPS BIIR-10 21 Dec 2003 at 08:05 UT C 17A 7925-9.5  
303 04009 GPS BIIR-11 20 Mar 2004 at 17:53 UT C 17B 7925  
304 04014 Gravity Probe B 20 Apr 2004 at 18:57 UT V 2W 7920-10  
305 04023 GPS BIIR-12 23 Jun 2004 at 22:54 UT C 17 7925-9.5  
306 04026 EOS Chemistry 1 15 Jul 2004 at 10:02 UT V 2W 7920-10L  
307 04030 Messenger 3 Aug 2004 at 06:15 UT C 17B 7925H solar orbit
308 04045 GPS BIIR-13 6 Nov 2004 at 05:39 UT C 17B 7925-9.5 159 x 20380 km x 39.1°
309 04047 Swift 20 Nov 2004 at 17:16 UT C 17A 7320-10C 185 x 185 km x 28.5°
310 04050 Demosat 2
Ralphie
Sparky
21 Dec 2004 at 21:50 UT C 37B 4050H Partial failure: shorter than expected first-stage burn because of oxygen bubbles. The upper stage compensated but finally shutdown too early.
Ralphie and Sparky were 2 microsatellites delivered in a 91 km orbit, too low for survival
311 05001 Deep Impact 12 Jan 2005 at 18:47 UT C 17B 7925-9.5  
312 05018 NOAA 18 20 May 2005 at 10:22 UT V 2W 7320-10+  
313 05038 GPS BIIR-M1 26 Sep 2005 at 03:37 UT C 17A 7925-9.5  
314 06016 A: Cloudsat
B: Picasso-Cena (Calipso)
28 Apr 2006 at 10:02 UT V 2W 7420-10  
315 06018 Goes 13 24 May 2006 at 22:11 UT C 37B 4M+(4,2) 6656 x 35173 km x 12°
316 06024 A: USA 187
B: USA 188
C: USA 189
21 Jun 2006 at 22:15 UT C 17B 7925-9.5 185 x 36221 km x 25.2°
317 06027 USA 184 27 Jun 2006 at 03:33 UT V 6 4M+(4,2)  
318 06042 GPS BIIR-M2 23 Sep 2006 at 18:50 UT C 17A 7925  
319 06047 A: Stereo A
B: Stereo B
26 Oct 2006 at 00:52 UT C 17B 7925-10 non-earth orbit
320 06050 DMSP B5D3-3 04 Nov 2006 at 13:53 UT V 6 4M  
321 06052 GPS BIIR-M3 17 Nov 2006 at 19:12 UT C 17A 7925-9.5  
322 06057 USA 193 14 Dec 2006 at 21:00 UT V 2W 7920-10 305 x 325 km x 58.5°
323 07004 Themis P1
Themis P2
Themis P3
Themis P4
Themis P5
17 Feb 2007 at 23:01 UT C17B 7925-10C  
324 07023 COSMO-Skymed 1 8 Jun 2007 at 02:34 UT V 2W 7420-10  
325 07034 Phoenix Mars Lander 4 Aug 2007 at 09:26 UT C 17A 7925-9.5 non-earth orbit
326 07041 WorldView 1 18 Sep 2007 at 18:35 UT V 2W 7925-10C  
327 07043 Dawn 27 Sep 2007 at 11:34 UT C 7925-H non-earth orbit
328 07047 GPS BIIR-M4 17 Oct 2007 at 12:23 UT C 7925-9.5  
329 07054 DSP 3-10 11 Nov 2007 at 01:50 UT C 4050H delivered the satellite in GEO
330 07059 COSMO-Skymed 2 9 Dec 2007 at 02:31 UT V 2W 7420-10  
331 07062 GPS BIIR-M5 20 Dec 2007 at 20:04 UT C 17A 7925-9.5  
332 08012 GPS BIIR-M6 15 Mar 2008 at 06:09 UT C 17A 7925-9.5  
333 08029 Glast 11 Jun 2008 at 16:05 UT C 17B 7920H  
334 08032 Jason 2 20 Jun 2008 at 07:46 UT V 2W 7320-10  
335 08042 Orbview 5 6 Sep 2008 at 18:51 UT V 2W 7420-10  
336 08054 COSMO-Skymed 3 25 Oct 2008 at 02:28 UT V 2W 7420-10  
337 09001 USA 202 17 Jan 2009 at 02:47 UT C 37 4050H 35943 x 38077 km x 3°
338 09005 NOAA 19 6 Feb 2008 at 10:22 UT V 2W 7320-10C  
339 09011 Kepler 7 Mar 2009 at 03:20 UT C 17B 7925-10L Non-earth orbit
340 09014 GPS BIIR-M7 24 Mar 2009 at 08:34 UT C 17A 7925-9.5  
341 09023 STSS-ATRR 05 May 2009 at 20:24 UT V 2W 7920-10C  
342 09033 Goes 14 27 Jun 2009 at 22:51 UT C 37B 4M+(4,2) 6634 x 35155 km x 12.0°
343 09043 GPS BIIR-M8 17 Aug 2009 at 10:35 UT C 17A 7925-9.5  
344 09052 STSS1
STSS 2
25 Sep 2009 at 12:20 UT C 17B 7920-10C  
345 09055 Worldview 2 08 Oct 2009 at 18:51 UT V 2W 7920-10  
346 09068 WGS SV 3 06 Dec 2009 at 01:47 UT C 37B 4M+ (5,4)  
347 09071 WISE 14 Dec 2009 at 14:09 UT V 2W 7320-10C  
348 10008 Goes 15 4 Mar 2010 at 23:57 UT C 37 4M+(4,2)  
349 10022 GPS BIIF-01 28 May 2010 at 03:00 UT C 37B 4M+(4,2)  
350 10060 COSMO-Skymed 4 6 Nov 2010 at 02:20 UT V 2W 7420-10  
351 10063 USA 223 21 Nov 2010 at 22:58 UT C 37B 4050H  
352 11002 KH 12-6 20 Jan 2011 at 22:10 UT V 6 4H  
353 11011 USA 227 11 Mar 2011 at 23:38 UT C 37B 4M+(4,2)  
354 11024 SAC D 10 Jun 2011 at 14:20 UT V 2W 7320-10  
355 11036 GPS BIIF-02 15 Jul 2011 at 06:41 UT C 37B 4M+(4,2)  
356 11046 Grail A
Grail B
10 Sep 2011 at 13:08 UT C 17B 7920H-10 non-earth orbit
Last Delta 2 from Cape Canaveral
357 11061 A: NPP
Also carries 6 cubesats:
AubieSat 1 (http://space.auburn.edu/)
M-Cubed (http://umcubed.org/)
E1PU2 (http://www.ssel.montana.edu/explorer-1_prime/)
RAX 2 (http://rax.enging.umich.edu/)
Dice 1 & Dice 2 (http://www.sdl.usu.edu/programs/dice)
28 Oct 2011 at 09:48 UT V 2W 7920-10  
358 12003 WGS SV 4 20 Jan 2012 at 00:38 UT C 4  
359 12013 USA 234 3 Apr 2012 at 23:12 UT V 4M+(5,2)  
360 12034 USA 237 29 Jun 2012 at 13:15 UT C 4H upgraded  
361 12053 GPS BIIF-03 4 Oct 2012 at 12:10 UT C 4M+(4,2)  
362 13024 WGS SV 5 25 May 2013 at 00:27 UT C 4M+(5,4) 439x66900 km x 24°
363 13041 WGS SV 6 8 Aug 2013 at 00:29 UT C 37 4M+(5,4)  
364 13043 USA 245 28 Aug 2013 at 16:03 UT V 4H  
365 14008 GPS BIIF-05 21 Feb 2014 at 01:59 UT C 4M+(4,2)  
366 14026 GPS BIIF-06 18 May 2014 at 00:03 UT C 4M+(4,2)  
367 14035 OCO 2 2 Jul 2014 at 06:56 UT V 7320  
368 14043 A: GSSAP 1
B: GSSAP 2
C: USA 255
28 Jul 2014 at 23:28 UT C 4M+(4,2)  
369 14077 Orion EFT 1 5 Dec 2014 C 4H Orion capsule maiden flight
370 15003 A: SMAP
B: Firebird 3
C: Firebird 4
D: Grifex
E: Polysat CP10
31 Jan 2015 at 14:22 UT V 7320 661 x 685 km
371 15013 GPS BIIF-09 25 Mar 2015 at 18:36 UT C 4M+(4,2)  
372 15036 WGS SV 7 24 Jul 2015 at 00:07 UT C 4M+(5,4)  
373 16010 USA 267 10 Feb 2016 at 11:40 UT V 4M+ (5,2)  
374 16036 USA 268 11 Jun 2016 at 17:11 UT C 4H upgraded  
375 16052 A: GSSAP 3
B: GSSAP 4
19 Aug 2016 at 04:52 UT C 4M+(4,2)  
376 16075 WGS SV 8 7 Dec 2016 at 23:53 UT C 4M+(5,4)  
377 17016 WGS SV 9 19 Mar 2017 at 00:18 UT C 4M+(5,4)  
378 17073 A: JPSS 1
5 cubesats
18 Nov 2017 at 09:47 UT V 7920-10C  
379 18005 USA 281 12 Jan 2018 at 22:11 UT C 4M+(5,2)  
380 18065 Parker Solar Probe 12 Aug 2018 at 09:31 UT C 4H  
381 18070 A: Icesat 2
B: Surfsat
C: Polysat CP7
D: Elfin B
E: Elfin A
15 Sep 2018 at 13:02 UT V 7420-10 Final mission of Delta 2
381 19004 USA 290 19 Jan 2019 at 19:10 UT V 4H  
382 19014 WGS SV 10 16 Mar 2019 at 00:26 UT C 4M+(5,4)  
383 19056 GPS BIII-02 22 Aug 2019 at 13:06 UT C 4M+(4,2)  
384 20095 USA 311 11 Dec 2020 at 01:09 UT C 4H  
385 21032 USA 314 26 Apr 2021 at 20:47 UT V 4H  
386 22117 USA 338 24 Sep 2022 at 22:25 UTC V 4H  
387 23089 USA 345 22 Jun 2023 at 09:18 UTC C 4H  

Notes: in the launcher date & site column C stands for Cape Canaveral and V for Vandenberg.

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