The Delta A, or Thor-Delta A was an American expendable launch system used to launch two Explorer spacecraft in October 1962. A derivative of the Thor-Delta, it was a member of the Delta family of launch vehicles. The Thor-Delta itself was a Thor booster with an Able second stage and Altair third stage.[1][2]
Delta A launching Explorer 14 | |
| Function | Expendable launch system |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | Cape Canaveral LC-17 |
| Total launches | 2 |
| Success(es) | 2 |
| First flight | 2 October 1962 |
| Last flight | 27 October 1962 |
The first stage was a Thor missile in the DM-21 configuration, and the second stage was the Delta-A, an uprated version of the original Delta. An Altair solid rocket motor was used as a third stage. Both launches occurred from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) Launch Complex 17B, and were successful. The first launched Explorer 14, and the second Explorer 15.
References
edit- ^ Wade, Mark. "Delta". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 9 February 2009.
- ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Thor family". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 9 February 2009.