Engineering:List of Thor and Delta launches (1970–79)

From HandWiki
Main page: Engineering:List of Thor and Delta launches

Between 1970 and 1979, there were 117 Thor missiles launched, of which 108 were successful, giving a 92.3% success rate.

NASA used it to launch its own satellites, as well as to launch satellites for foreign governments and companies.

Launch statistics

Rocket configurations

Script error: No such module "Chart".

Launch sites

Script error: No such module "Chart".

Launch outcomes

Script error: No such module "Chart".


1970

There were 19 Thor missiles launched in 1970. 18 of the 19 launches were successful, giving a 94.7% success rate.

Date/Time
(UTC) 		Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks
1970-01-15
00:16 		Delta M Delta 75
Thor 557 		CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-6 Communication satellite GTO Success
1970-01-23
11:52 		Delta N6 Delta 76
Thor 542 		VAFB SLC-2W ITOS 1 / Oscar 5 Weather Satellite / Amateur radio satellite LEO / SSO Success
1970-02-04
02:59 		Thorad SLV-2G Agena-D Thor 534
Agena Unknown 		VAFB SLC-2E SERT 2 Technological demonstration satellite MEO Success
1970-02-11
08:40 		Thor Burner 2 Thor 287 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5A-F1 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO Success
1970-03-04
22:15 		Thorad SLV-2H Agena-D Thor 551
Agena 1657 		VAFB SLC-3W KH-4B (S/N 1109) Reconnaissance LEO Success
1970-03-20
23:46 		Delta M Delta 77
Thor 558 		CCAFS SLC-17A NATO 1 Military communication satellite GTO Success
1970-03-27
07:37 		Thor DSV-2J Thor 152 Johnston LE-1 ASAT test Suborbital Success
1970-04-08
08:17 		Thorad SLV-2G Agena-D Thor 553
Agena 6223 		VAFB SLC-2E Nimbus 4 / TOPO-1 Weather satellite / Geodesic research satellite LEO / SSO Success
1970-04-23
00:46 		Delta M Delta 78
Thor 559 		CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-7 Communication satellite GTO Success
1970-04-24
 Thor DSV-2J Thor 225 Johnston LE-1 Satellite Inspection test Suborbital Failure Thor rocket collided with the satellite.
1970-05-20
21:35 		Thorad SLV-2H Agena-D Thor 555
Agena 1657 		VAFB SLC-3W KH-4B (S/N 1110) Reconnaissance LEO Success
1970-07-23
01:25 		Thorad SLV-2H Agena-D Thor 556
Agena 1654 		VAFB SLC-3W KH-4B (S/N 1111) Reconnaissance LEO Success
1970-07-23
23:23 		Delta M Delta 79
Thor 563 		CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-8 Communication satellite GTO Success
1970-08-19
12:11 		Delta M Delta 80
Thor 561 		CCAFS SLC-17A Skynet-1B Military communication satellite GTO Success
1970-08-26
10:01 		Thorad SLV-2G Agena-D Thor 535
Agena 2736 		VAFB SLC-1W Ferret 15 (OPS 8329) ELINT LEO Success
1970-09-03
08:39 		Thor Burner 2 Thor 288 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5A-F2 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO Success
1970-09-24
12:54 		Thor DSV-2J Thor 271 Johnston LE-2 Astronomy research flight Suborbital Success
1970-11-18
21:29 		Thorad SLV-2H Agena-D Thor 552
Agena 1658 		VAFB SLC-3W KH-4B (S/N 1112) Reconnaissance LEO Success
1970-12-11
11:35 		Delta N6 Delta 81
Thor 546 		VAFB SLC-2W NOAA-1 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO Success

1971

There were 14 Thor missiles launched in 1971. 12 of the 14 launches were successful, giving an 85.7% success rate.

Date/Time
(UTC) 		Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks
1971-02-03
01:41 		Delta M Delta 82
Thor 560 		CCAFS SLC-17A NATO 2 Military communication satellite GTO Success
1971-02-17
03:52 		Thor Burner 2 Thor 249 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5A-F3 / Calsphere 3A / Calsphere 4 / Calsphere 5 Military weather satellite / Technology demonstration (x3) LEO / SSO Success
1971-02-17
20:04 		Thorad SLV-2H Agena-D Thor 537
Agena 1659 		VAFB SLC-3W KH-4B (S/N 1113) Reconnaissance LEO Failure Improper pre-flight procedure caused frozen lubricant to form a plug that resulted in complete turbopump failure 18 seconds after liftoff. The booster lost thrust and impacted the ground not far from the launch complex.
1971-03-13
16:15 		Delta M6 Delta 83
Thor 562 		CCAFS SLC-17A Explorer 43 (IMP-H) Magnetosphere research satellite HEO Success
1971-03-24
21:05 		Thorad SLV-2H Agena-D Thor 538
Agena 1660 		VAFB SLC-3W KH-4B (S/N 1114) Reconnaissance LEO Success
1971-04-01
02:53 		Delta E1 Delta 84
Thor 491 		VAFB SLC-2E ISIS-II Ionosphere research satellite LEO / SSO Success
1971-06-08
14:00 		Thor Burner 2 Thor 210 VAFB SLC-10W SESP-1 (P70-1) Technological demonstration satellite LEO Success
1971-07-16
21:29 		Thorad SLV-2H Agena-D Thor 552
Agena 1658 		VAFB SLC-1W Ferret 16 (OPS 8373) ELINT LEO Success
1971-09-10
21:33 		Thorad SLV-2H Agena-D Thor 567
Agena 1662 		VAFB SLC-3W KH-4B (S/N 1115) Reconnaissance LEO Success
1971-09-29
09:50 		Delta N Delta 85
Thor 565 		CCAFS SLC-17A OSO 7 / TTS-4 Solar observation satellite / Technology demonstration LEO, 321×572 km, 93.2 min, i=33.1°, e=0.0184 Success 2nd stage suffered a failure of the attitude control system, however the satellite reached orbit and ground controllers were able to correct its flight path.[1]
1971-10-14
07:51 		Thor Burner 2A Thor 159 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5B-F1 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO Success
1971-10-17
13:36 		Thorad SLV-2G Agena-D Thor 570
Agena Unknown 		VAFB SLC-1W ASTEX (P71-2) Technological demonstration satellite LEO Success
1971-10-21
11:32 		Delta N6 Delta 86
Thor 572 		VAFB SLC-2E ITOS-B Weather Satellite planned: LEO / SSO Failure 2nd stage oxidizer leak starting at T+20 seconds. The attitude control system ran out of propellant trying to correct the stage's flight path and the launch vehicle reentered the atmosphere and broke up above the Arctic Circle.
1971-12-14
21:13 		Thorad SLV-2G Agena-D Thor 568
Agena Unknown 		VAFB SLC-1W Poppy (OPS 7898) (x4) ELINT LEO Success Final flight of SLV-2G

1972

There were 11 Thor missiles launched in 1972. All 11 launches were successful.

Date/Time
(UTC) 		Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks
1972-01-31
17:20 		Delta L Delta 87
Thor 564 		VAFB SLC-2E HEOS-2 Magnetosphere research satellite HEO Success
1972-03-12
00:00 		Delta N Delta 88
Thor 573 		VAFB SLC-2E TD-1A Astronomical research satellite LEO / SSO Success
1972-03-24
08:46 		Thor Burner 2A Thor 153 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5B-F2 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO Success
1972-04-19
21:43 		Thorad SLV-2H Agena-D Thor 569
Agena 1661 		VAFB SLC-3W KH-4B (S/N 1116) Reconnaissance LEO Success
1972-05-25
18:41 		Thorad SLV-2H Agena-D Thor 571
Agena 1663 		VAFB SLC-3W KH-4B (S/N 1117) Reconnaissance LEO Success Final flight of Thorad-Agena
Last Corona spacecraft
1972-07-23
18:06 		Delta 904[2] Delta 89
Thor 574 		VAFB SLC-2W Landsat 1 Earth Resource Technology Satellite 917 km LEO, near polar, Sun synchronous. Success First use of 9 strap-on SRBs. Discovered Landsat Island.
1972-09-23
13:20 		Delta 1604 Delta 90
Thor 579 		CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 47 (IMP-I) Magnetospheric research satellite HEO Success First successful flight of Delta-1000 series.
1972-10-15
17:17 		Delta 300 Delta 91
Thor 575 		VAFB SLC-2W NOAA-2 / Oscar 6 Weather Satellite / Amateur Radio Satellite LEO / SSO Success
1972-11-09
03:43 		Thor Burner 2A Thor 294 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5B-F3 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO Success
1972-11-10
01:14 		Delta 1914 Delta 92
Thor 580 		CCAFS SLC-17B Anik-A1 Communication Satellite GTO Success
1972-12-11
07:56 		Delta 900 Delta 93
Thor 577 		VAFB SLC-2W Nimbus-5 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO Success

1973

There were 7 Thor missiles launched in 1973. 6 of the 7 launches were successful, giving an 85.7% success rate.

Date/Time
(UTC) 		Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks
1973-04-20
23:47 		Delta 1914 Delta 94
Thor 583 		CCAFS SLC-17B Anik-A2 Communication Satellite GTO Success
1973-06-10
14:13 		Delta 1913 Delta 95
Thor 581 		CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 49 (RAE-B) Radio astronomy satellite Lunar Orbit Success
1973-07-16
17:10 		Delta 300 Delta 96
Thor 578 		VAFB SLC-2W ITOS-E Weather Satellite planned: LEO / SSO Failure Hydraulic pump malfunction led to failure of the 2nd stage attitude control system. The booster and payload reentered the atmosphere and broke up.
1973-08-17
04:49 		Thor Burner 2A Thor 291 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5B-F4 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO Success
1973-10-26
02:26 		Delta 1604 Delta 97
Thor 582 		CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 50 (IMP-J) Magnetospheric research satellite HEO Success
1973-11-06
14:02 		Delta 300 Delta 98
Thor 576 		VAFB SLC-2W NOAA-3 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO Success
1973-12-16
06:18 		Delta 1900 Delta 99
Thor 585 		VAFB SLC-2W Explorer 51 (AE-C) Atmospheric research satellite MEO Success

1974

There were 9 Thor missiles launched in 1974. 8 of the 9 launches were successful, giving an 88.9% success rate.

Date/Time
(UTC) 		Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks
1974-01-19
01:38 		Delta 2313 Delta 100
Thor 587 		CCAFS SLC-17B Skynet-2A Military communication satellite planned: GTO Failure First flight of the Delta 2000 series. Stage 2 electronics package short circuited (induced by a piece of conductive contaminant shaken loose during launch), leading to loss of control.
1974-03-16
08:00 		Thor Burner 2A Thor 207 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5B-F5 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO Success
1974-04-13
21:33 		Delta 2914 Delta 101
Thor 588 		CCAFS SLC-17B Westar-1 Communication satellite GTO Success
1974-05-17
10:31 		Delta 2914 Delta 102
Thor 590 		CCAFS SLC-17B SMS-1 Weather satellite GTO Success
1974-08-09
03:22 		Thor Burner 2A Thor 275 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5C-F1 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO Success
1974-10-10
22:53 		Delta 2914 Delta 103
Thor 589 		CCAFS SLC-17B Westar-2 Communication satellite GTO Success
1974-11-15
17:11 		Delta 2310 Delta 104
Thor 592 		VAFB SLC-2W NOAA-4 / Oscar 7 / Intasat Weather Satellite / Amateur radio satellite / Ionosphere research LEO / SSO Success
1974-11-23
00:28 		Delta 2313 Delta 105
Thor 591 		CCAFS SLC-17B Skynet-2B Military communication satellite GTO Success
1974-12-19
02:39 		Delta 2914 Delta 106
Thor 599 		CCAFS SLC-17B Symphonie-1 Communication satellite GTO Success

1975

There were 16 Thor missiles launched in 1975. All 16 launches were successful.

Date/Time
(UTC) 		Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks
1975-01-22
17:56 		Delta 2910 Delta 107
Thor 598 		VAFB SLC-2W Landsat 2 Earth Resource Technology Satellite 917 km LEO, near polar, Sun synchronous. Success Satellite operated until Feb 25, 1982.
1975-02-06
22:04 		Delta 2914 Delta 108
Thor 593 		CCAFS SLC-17B SMS-2 Weather satellite GTO Success
1975-04-10
23:50 		Delta 1410 Delta 109
Thor 584 		VAFB SLC-2W GEOS-C Geodetic research satellite LEO Success
1975-05-07
23:35 		Delta 2914 Delta 110
Thor 596 		CCAFS SLC-17B Anik-A3 Communication Satellite GTO Success
1975-05-24
03:22 		Thor Burner 2A Thor 197 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5C-F2 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO Success
1975-06-12
08:12 		Delta 2910 Delta 111
Thor 595 		VAFB SLC-2W Nimbus-6 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO Success
1975-06-21
11:43 		Delta 1910 Delta 112
Thor 586 		CCAFS SLC-17B OSO-8 Solar observation satellite LEO Success
1975-08-09
01:47 		Delta 2913 Delta 113
Thor 602 		VAFB SLC-2W COS-B High-energy astronomy research satellite HEO Success
1975-09-09
05:30 		N-I N-1 (F) Tanegashima SLC-N ETS-1 (Kiku-1) Technological demonstration satellite MEO Success First Japanese licensed built Delta flight.
1975-08-27
01:42 		Delta 2914 Delta 114
Thor 594 		CCAFS SLC-17A Symphonie-2 Communication satellite GTO Success
1975-09-19
 Thor DSV-2J Thor 201 Johnston LE-2 Missile defense test tracking target Suborbital Success
1975-10-06
09:01 		Delta 2910 Delta 115
Thor 600 		VAFB SLC-2W Explorer 54 (AE-D) Atmospheric research satellite MEO Success
1975-10-16
22:40 		Delta 2914 Delta 116
Thor 597 		CCAFS SLC-17B GOES-A (GOES-1) Weather satellite GTO Success
1975-11-06
 Thor DSV-2J Thor 274 Johnston LE-2 Missile defense test tracking target Suborbital Success Last sub-orbital Thor series flight
1975-11-20
02:06 		Delta 2910 Delta 117
Thor 604 		CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 55 (AE-E) Atmospheric research satellite MEO Success
1975-12-13
01:56 		Delta 3914 Delta 118
Thor 607 		CCAFS SLC-17A Satcom-1 Communication satellite GTO Success First flight of the Delta 3000 series.

1976

There were 12 Thor missiles launched in 1976. 11 of the 12 launches were successful, giving a 91.7% success rate.

Date/Time
(UTC) 		Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks
1976-01-17
23:28 		Delta 2914 Delta 119
Thor 606 		CCAFS SLC-17B CTS 1 Hermes Experimental communication satellite GTO Success
1976-02-19
07:52 		Thor Burner 2A Thor 182 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5C-F3 Military weather satellite planned: LEO / SSO Failure Thor stage not loaded with enough kerosene fuel due to incorrect LR79 main engine data sheet entry. Satellite re-entered after one orbit.
1976-02-19
22:32 		Delta 2914 Delta 120
Thor 603 		CCAFS SLC-17B Marisat-1 Communication satellite GTO Success
1976-02-29
03:30 		N-I N-2 (F) Tanegashima SLC-N ISS-1 (Ume-1) Ionospheric research satellite MEO Success
1976-03-26
22:42 		Delta 3914 Delta 121
Thor 610 		CCAFS SLC-17A Satcom-2 Communication satellite GTO Success
1976-04-22
20:46 		Delta 2914 Delta 122
Thor 608 		CCAFS SLC-17B NATO 3A Military communication satellite GTO Success
1976-05-04
08:00 		Delta 2913 Delta 123
Thor 609 		VAFB SLC-2W LAGEOS-1 Geodesic research satellite MEO Success
1976-06-10
00:09 		Delta 2914 Delta 124
Thor 601 		CCAFS SLC-17A Marisat-2 Communication satellite GTO Success
1976-07-08
23:31 		Delta 2914 Delta 125
Thor 611 		CCAFS SLC-17A Palapa-A1 Communication satellite GTO Success
1976-07-29
17:07 		Delta 2310 Delta 126
Thor 605 		VAFB SLC-2W NOAA-5 Weather satellite LEO / SSO Success
1976-09-11
08:00 		Thor DSV-2U Thor 172 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5D-F1 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO Success
1976-10-14
22:44 		Delta 2914 Delta 127
Thor 614 		CCAFS SLC-17A Marisat-3 Communication satellite GTO Success

1977

There were 12 Thor missiles launched in 1977. 10 of the 12 launches were successful, giving an 83.3% success rate.

Date/Time
(UTC) 		Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks
1977-01-28
00:49 		Delta 2914 Delta 128
Thor 613 		CCAFS SLC-17A NATO 3B Military communication satellite GTO Success
1977-02-23
08:50 		N-I N-3 (F) Tanegashima SLC-N ETS-2 (Kiku-2) Experimental communication satellite GTO Success
1977-03-10
23:16 		Delta 2914 Delta 129
Thor 612 		CCAFS SLC-17A Palapa-A2 Communication satellite GTO Success
1977-04-20
10:15 		Delta 2914 Delta 130
Thor 617 		CCAFS SLC-17B ESA-GEOS-1 Magnetosphere research satellite planned: GTO Partial failure Premature separation of second and third stages led to failure of Stage 3 spin up.
1977-06-05
02:59 		Thor DSV-2U Thor 183 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5D-F2 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO Success
1977-06-16
10:51 		Delta 2914 Delta 131
Thor 616 		CCAFS SLC-17B GOES-B (GOES-2) Weather satellite GTO Success
1977-07-14
14:56 		Delta 2914 Delta 132
Thor 618 		CCAFS SLC-17B GMS-1 Weather satellite GTO Success
1977-08-25
23:50 		Delta 2313 Delta 133
Thor 615 		CCAFS SLC-17B Sirio-1 Experimental communication satellite GTO Success
1977-09-13
23:21 		Delta 3914 Delta 134
Thor 619 		CCAFS SLC-17A OTS-1 Experimental communication satellite planned: GTO Failure Launch vehicle exploded at T+52 seconds due to a rupture of the SRM #1 casing.
1977-10-22
13:53 		Delta 2914 Delta 135
Thor 623 		CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 56 (ISEE-A / B) Magnetospheric research satellites HEO Success
1977-11-23
01:35 		Delta 2914 Delta 136
Thor 620 		CCAFS SLC-17A Meteosat-1 Weather satellite GTO Success
1977-12-15
00:47 		Delta 2914 Delta 137
Thor 624 		CCAFS SLC-17B CS-1 Experimental communication satellite GTO Success

1978

There were 12 Thor missiles launched in 1978. All 12 launches were successful.

Date/Time
(UTC) 		Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks
1978-01-26
17:36 		Delta 2914 Delta 138
Thor 613 		CCAFS SLC-17A Explorer 57 (International Ultraviolet Explorer) Astronomical observatory satellite HEO Success Satellite operational until 1996.
1978-02-15
04:00 		N-I N-4 (F) Tanegashima SLC-N ISS-2 (Ume-2) Ionospheric research satellite MEO Success
1978-03-05
17:54 		Delta 2910 Delta 139
Thor 621 		VAFB SLC-2W Landsat 3 Earth Resource Technology Satellite 917 km LEO, near polar, Sun synchronous. Success Satellite decommissioned on March 21, 1983.
1978-04-07
22:01 		Delta 2914 Delta 140
Thor 626 		CCAFS SLC-17B BSE-1[3] Direct-broadcast satellite GTO (167×35844 km, i=27°, 631 min) Success First of Japanese BSE series, also known as "Yuri 1".
1978-05-01
03:05 		Thor DSV-2U Thor 143 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5D-F3 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO Success
1978-05-11
22:59 		Delta 3914 Delta 141
Thor 627 		CCAFS SLC-17A OTS-2 Experimental communication satellite GTO Success
1978-06-16
10:49 		Delta 2914 Delta 142
Thor 625 		CCAFS SLC-17B GOES-C (GOES-3) Weather satellite GTO Success
1978-07-14
10:43 		Delta 2914 Delta 143
Thor 631 		CCAFS SLC-17A ESA-GEOS-2 Magnetosphere research satellite GTO Success
1978-08-12
15:12 		Delta 2914 Delta 144
Thor 633 		CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 59 (ISEE-3) Magnetospheric research satellite HEO to Sun-Earth L1 halo orbit
Eventually shifted to heliocentric 		Success First satellite to use Lagrangian point and halo orbit
Later re-classified as the International Cometary Explorer. Satellite still operational as of 2014.[4]
1978-10-24
08:14 		Delta 2910 Delta 145
Thor 630 		VAFB SLC-2W Nimbus-7 / CAMEO Weather Satellite / Ionosphere research LEO / SSO Success
1978-11-19
00:46 		Delta 2914 Delta 146
Thor 634 		CCAFS SLC-17B NATO 3C Military communication satellite GTO Success
1978-12-16
00:21 		Delta 3914 Delta 147
Thor 632 		CCAFS SLC-17A Anik-B1 Communication Satellite GTO Success

1979

There were 5 Thor missiles launched in 1979. 4 of the 5 launches were successful, giving an 80% success rate.

Date/Time
(UTC) 		Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks
1979-01-30
21:42 		Delta 2914 Delta 148
Thor 629 		CCAFS SLC-17B SCATHA (P78-2) Military technological research satellite HEO Success
1979-02-06
08:46 		N-I N-5 (F) Tanegashima SLC-N ECS-A (Ayame 1) Experimental communication satellite planned: GTO Failure Recontact between satellite and upper stage.
1979-06-06
18:22 		Thor DSV-2U Thor 264 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5D-F4 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO Success
1979-08-10
00:20 		Delta 2914 Delta 149
Thor 638 		CCAFS SLC-17A Westar-3 Communication Satellite GTO Success
1979-12-07
01:35 		Delta 3914 Delta 150
Thor 622 		CCAFS SLC-17A Satcom-3 Communication satellite GTO Success

See also

Delta (rocket family)

  1. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2004-11-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20041118074655/https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4012/vol3/table1.32.htm. Retrieved 2007-03-12. 
  2. ↑ Chronology of Thor-Delta Development and Operations ] NASA
  3. ↑ NSSDC
  4. ↑ Morin, Monte (August 9, 2014). "Vintage ISEE-3 satellite makes long-awaited flyby on Sunday". The Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-isee3-flyby-20140808-story.html. 




Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Engineering:List_of_Thor_and_Delta_launches_(1970–79)&oldid=133770"