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Delta C

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The first Delta C launches with Explorer 18
FunctionExpendable launch system
ManufacturerDouglas Aircraft Company
Country of originUnited States
Launch history
StatusRetired
Launch sitesCape Canaveral LC-17
Total launches13
Success(es)12
Failure(s)1
First flight27 November 1963
Last flight22 January 1969

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.

Configuration

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The 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

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The 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

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  1. ^ a b c Krebs, Gunter. "Thor Family". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 2007-08-06. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
  2. ^ Wade, Mark. "Delta". Archived from the original on 2008-07-24.