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]

Delta B launches

Delta B was launched nine times:[3]

Date Ser. Launch site Payload
13.12.1962 Thor 355 Delta 15 LC-17A Relay 1
14.02.1963 Thor 358 Delta 16 LC-17B Syncom 1
03.04.1963 Thor 357 Delta 17 LC-17B Explorer 17
07.05.1963 Thor 366 Delta 18 LC-17B Telstar 2
19.06.1963 Thor 359 Delta 19 LC-17B TIROS 7
26.07.1963 Thor 370 Delta 20 LC-17A Syncom 2
21.12.1963 Thor 371 Delta 22 LC-17B TIROS 8
21.01.1964 Thor 373 Delta 23 LC-17B Relay 2
19.03.1964 Thor 391 Delta 24 LC-17A Explorer S-66 (failed)

References

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


Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_B
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