Engineering:List of failed Thor and Delta launches

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This is a list of failed launches of rockets in the Thor and Delta rocket family. The Thor and Delta family rockets have had 51 complete failures, 10 partial failures, and 1 partial success, for a total of 62 unsuccessful Thor and Delta family missions. Since it has had 768 launches, this gives it a reliability of 91.9%, which puts it within the average range for rockets that started around the space age.[1]

Launch attempts

The data in this table comes from [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] in addition to the references listed within the table.

1957-1959
Date/Time
(UTC) 		Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks
1957-01-26 Thor DM-18 Thor 101 Cape Canaveral Air Force Station LC-17B Missile test Suborbital Failure Maiden flight of Thor, first launch from LC-17. Contaminated LOX caused loss of thrust at liftoff. Vehicle fell back onto the pad and exploded.
1957-04-20
04:33 		Thor DM-18 Thor 102 CCAFS LC-17B Missile test Suborbital Failure RSO sent a mistaken destruct command at T+35 seconds due to an incorrect console readout.
1957-08-30 Thor DM-18 Thor 104 CCAFS LC-17A Missile test Suborbital Failure
1957-10-03
17:14 		Thor DM-18 Thor 107 CCAFS LC-17A Missile test Suborbital Failure Stuck valve prevented the gas generator from starting. Missile fell back onto the pad and exploded.
1957-10-11
16:33 		Thor DM-18 Thor 108 CCAFS LC-17B Missile test Suborbital Partial success Turbopump failure at T+152 seconds. Flight considered a "partial success".

1960-1969

Date/Time
(UTC) 		Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks
1960-02-04
18:51:45 		Thor DM-18 Agena-A Thor 218
Agena 1052 		VAFB LC-75-3-4 Discoverer 9 Reconnaissance LEO Failure Premature Thor cutoff. Agena could not attain orbital velocity.
1960-02-19
20:15:14 		Thor DM-18 Agena-A Thor 223
Agena 1054 		VAFB LC-75-3-5 Discoverer 10 Reconnaissance LEO Failure Thor flight control malfunction. RSO T+52 seconds.
1960-05-13
09:16:05 		Thor DM-19 Delta Thor 144
Delta 1 		CCAFS LC-17A Echo 1 Communication MEO Failure Maiden flight of Thor-Delta, upper-stage attitude control system malfunctioned
1960-06-29
22:00:44 		Thor DM-18 Agena-A Thor 160
Agena 1053 		VAFB LC-75-3-4 Discoverer 12 Reconnaissance LEO Failure Agena attitude control malfunction.
1960-08-18
19:58 		Thor DM-21 Ablestar Thor 262
Ablestar 004 		CCAFS LC-17B Courier 1A Communications LEO Failure Premature first stage cutoff. RSO T+150 seconds.
1960-10-26
20:26 		Thor DM-21 Agena-B Thor 253
Agena 1061 		VAFB LC-75-3-4 Discoverer 16 Reconnaissance LEO Failure Maiden flight of Thor-Agena B. Agena staging failed. Vehicle fell into the Pacific Ocean.
1960-11-30
19:50 		Thor DM-21 Ablestar Thor 283
Ablestar 006 		CCAFS LC-17B Transit 3A
GRAB-2 (Solrad-2) 		Navigation
ELINT 		LEO Failure Premature Thor cutoff. RSO. Debris fell in Cuba.[13]
1961-03-30
20:34:43 		Thor DM-21 Agena-B Thor 300
Agena 1105 		VAFB LC-75-3-4 Discoverer 22 Reconnaissance LEO Failure Agena control failure.
1961-06-08
21:16 		Thor DM-21 Agena-B Thor 302
Agena 1108 		VAFB LC-75-3-4 Discoverer 24 Reconnaissance LEO Failure Agena power failure
1961-07-21
22:35 		Thor DM-21 Agena-B Thor 322
Agena 1110 		VAFB LC-75-3-4 Discoverer 27 Reconnaissance LEO Failure Open circuit in guidance computer led to loss of control and vehicle breakup at T+60 seconds.
1961-08-04
00:01 		Thor DM-21 Agena-B Thor 309
Agena 1111 		VAFB LC-75-1-1 Discoverer 28 Reconnaissance LEO Failure Agena control system malfunctioned
1961-10-23
19:23 		Thor DM-21 Agena-B Thor 329
Agena 1116 		VAFB LC-75-3-5 Discoverer 33 Reconnaissance LEO Failure Agena hydraulics failure
1961-11-05
20:00 		Thor DM-21 Agena-B Thor 330
Agena 1117 		VAFB LC-75-1-1 Discoverer 34 Reconnaissance LEO Failure Incorrect guidance program left the satellite in a useless orbit.
1962-01-13
21:41 		Thor DM-21 Agena-B Thor 327
Agena 1120 		VAFB LC-75-3-4 Discoverer 37 Reconnaissance LEO Failure Agena restart burn failed.
1962-01-24
09:30 		Thor DM-21 Ablestar Thor 311
Ablestar 010 		CCAFS LC-17B LOFTI-2A
SECOR
GRAB-4 (Solrad 4)
Injun 2
SURCAL 1 		Technology
Geodesy
ELINT
Ionospheric
Calibration 		LEO Failure Second stage insufficient thrust
1962-02-21
18:44 		Thor DM-21 Agena-B Thor 332
Agena 2301 		VAFB LC-75-3-5 FTV 2301 ELINT LEO Partial failure Upper stage failed to restart for circularization burn
1962-05-10
12:06 		Thor DM-21 Ablestar Thor 314
Ablestar 011 		CCAFS LC-17B ANNA 1A Geodesy LEO Failure Second stage failed to ignite
1962-06-04
09:44:17 		Thor DSV-2E Thor 199 Johnston LE-1 Bluegill Nuclear test Suborbital Failure Radar contact lost 5 minutes after launch. RSO destruct command sent.
1962-06-20
08:46:16 		Thor DSV-2E Thor 193 Johnston LE-1 STARFISH Nuclear test Suborbital Failure RVs caused turbine exhaust gas to enter the thrust section, overheating and weakening the engine mounts. Engine broke loose and ruptured the propellant tanks T+59 seconds. Warhead destroyed by RSO T+65 seconds.
1962-07-26
09:13:53 		Thor DSV-2E Thor 180 Johnston LE-1 Bluegill Prime Nuclear test Suborbital Failure Stuck LOX valve caused loss of thrust and fire on the launch stand. Range Safety Officer destroyed the missile and warhead. Launch area extensively contaminated with plutonium.
1962-10-16

09:14:38

Thor DSV-2E Thor 156 Johnston LE-2 Bluegill Double Prime Nuclear test Suborbital Failure Flight control failure T+85 seconds. RSO T+156 seconds.
1963-02-28
21:48 		TAT SLV-2A Agena-D Thor 354
Agena 1159 		VAFB LC-75-3-5 OPS 0583 Reconnaissance LEO Failure Maiden flight of Thrust-Augmented Thor Agena. One SRB failed to ignite and subsequently separate from the vehicle, resulting in loss of control and self-destruct T+127 seconds.
1963-03-18
21:13 		TAT SLV-2A Agena-D Thor 360
Agena 1164 		VAFB LC-75-3-4 OPS 0627 Reconnaissance LEO Failure Electrical short at staging causes loss of Agena control and no orbit.
1963-04-26
20:13 		Thor DM-21 Agena-D Thor 372
Agena 1411 		VAFB LC-75-1-1 OPS 1008 Reconnaissance LEO Failure Attitude sensor alignment error results in no Agena orbit.
1963-11-09
20:27:54 		Thor SLV-2 Agena-D Thor 400
Agena 1171 		VAFB LC-75-1-2 OPS 2268 Reconnaissance LEO Failure Loss of heat shield causes high thrust section temperatures. Control loss at T+113 seconds followed by propulsion system shutdown.
1964-03-19
11:13:41 		Delta B Thor 391
Delta 24 		CCAFS LC-17A BE-A Ionospheric LEO Failure Third stage underperformed
1964-03-24
12:15 		Thor DSV-2G Thor 240 CCAFS LC-17B ASSET-2 REV test Suborbital Failure Atmospheric flight, second stage fired intermittently, destroyed by range safety
1964-03-24
22:22:48 		TAT SLV-2A Agena-D Thor 396
Agena 1175 		Arguello LC-1-1 OPS 3467 Reconnaissance LEO Failure Agena power failure. No orbit.
1964-04-21
18:50 		Thor DSV-2A Ablestar Thor 379
Ablestar 014 		VAFB LC-75-1-1 Transit 5BN-3
Transit 5E-4 		Navigation LEO Failure
1964-05-28
07:32 		Thor DSV-2J Thor 227 Johnston LE-2 ASAT test Suborbital Failure
1964-08-28
07:56:57 		Thor SLV-2 Agena-B Thor 399
Agena 6201
TA-3 		VAFB LC-75-1-1 Nimbus 1 Weather LEO Partial failure Second-stage cutoff early during second burn
1964-10-04
03:45:00 		Delta C Thor 392
Delta 26 		CCAFS LC-17A Explorer 21 Magnetospheric HEO Partial failure Reached lower than planned orbit
1965-01-19
05:03 		Thor MG-18 Thor 224 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-3B-F1 Military weather satellite planned: LEO / SSO Partial failure Maiden flight of the Thor-Burner series. Satellite failed to separate from the upper stage, but the satellite was able to operate for 6 months.
1965-09-02
20:00 		Thor DM-21 Agena-D Thor 401
Agena 1602 		VAFB LC-75-3-5 MPRV Upper atmosphere and space experiments planned: MEO Failure High winds caused the vehicle to drift off course. RSO T+43 seconds. Debris fell on a trailer park.
1966-01-08
04:48 		Thor Burner 1 Thor 251 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-3B-F5 Military weather satellite planned: LEO / SSO Failure FW-4S second-stage motor failed to ignite.
1966-05-03
19:25 		TAT SLV-2A Agena-D Thor 465
Agena 1625 		VAFB LC-75-3-5 OPS 1508 (KH-4A #1032) Reconnaissance planned: LEO Failure Agena failed to separate from the Thor at staging. Vehicle fell into the Pacific Ocean.
1967-05-09
21:50 		Thorad SLV-2G Agena-D Thor 508
Agena 1634 		VAFB SLC-1E KH-4A (S/N 1041)/SRV S/N 731 Reconnaissance planned: LEO Partial failure Rocket failed to cut off, resulting in incorrect, but usable orbit
1968-05-18
08:23 		Thorad SLV-2G Agena-D Thor 520
Agena 6221 		VAFB SLC-2E Nimbus B/EGRS-10 Weather Satellite / Geodesic research satellite planned: LEO / SSO Failure Incorrectly installed yaw gyro led to loss of control. RSO T+101 seconds.
1968-09-19
00:09 		Delta M Thor 529
Delta 59 		CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-1 Communication Satellite planned: GTO Failure Pitch gyroscope failure led to loss of control starting at T+20 seconds. RSO T+110 seconds.
1969-07-26
02:06 		Delta M Thor 547
Delta 71 		CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-5 Communication Satellite planned: GTO Partial failure Stage 3 motor case ruptured, leaving spacecraft in unusable orbit
1969-08-27
21:59 		Delta L Thor 540
Delta 73 		CCAFS LC-17A Pioneer E / TTS-3 Interplanetary space research probe / Technology demonstration satellite planned: Heliocentric Failure Defective valve in Stage 1 caused a hydraulic fluid leak and loss of engine gimbaling at T+220 seconds, making it impossible for the second stage to reach orbit. RSO T+480 seconds.

1970-1979

Date/Time

(UTC)

Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks
1970-04-24 Thor DSV-2J Thor 225 Johnston LE-1 Satellite Inspection test Suborbital Failure Thor rocket collided with the satellite.
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.
1971-10-21
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1977-09-13
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.
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.

1980-1989

Date/Time

(UTC)

Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks
1980-07-15
02:22 		Thor DSV-2U Thor 304 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5D-F5 Military weather satellite planned: LEO / SSO Failure Final flight of the Long Tank Thor. Failure attributed to faulty connection between second and third stages, resulting in third stage not receiving electrical power.
1986-05-03
22:18 		Delta 3914 178 Cape Canaveral Air Force Station LC-17A GOES-G Weather Satellite planned: GTO Failure Electric failure in first stage caused the rocket to lose control and was destroyed 90 seconds into flight

1990-1999

Date / time (UTC) Rocket

Configuration

Launch site Payload Payload mass Orbit Customer Outcome Remarks
5 August 1995
11:10 		Delta II 7925–9.5 CCAFS, LC-17B Koreasat 1 711 kg GTO KT Corporation Partial failure Communications satellite, One SRB failed to separate, retarding the booster's orbital velocity. Spacecraft eventually reached correct orbit but with substantially shortened operational life.
January 17, 1997
16:28 		Delta II 7925–9.5 CCAFS LC-17A GPS IIR-1 2,030 kg Planned:
MEO 		US Air Force Failure Exploded 13 seconds after launch due to SRB failure.[14] Navigation satellite
August 27, 1998
01:17 		Delta III 8930 CCAFS SLC-17B Galaxy 10 700 kg GTO PanAmSat / Intelsat Failure Maiden flight of Delta III, Destroyed by range safety after control problems and depletion of hydraulic fluid, Communications satellite
May 5, 1999
01:00 		Delta III 8930 CCAFS SLC-17B Orion 3 4,300 kg GTO Loral Failure Second stage engine failure. Payload placed into LEO, Communications satellite

Since 2000

Date / time (UTC) Rocket,
Configuration 		Launch site Payload Payload mass Orbit Customer Launch
outcome 		Remarks
August 23, 2000
11:05 		Delta III 8930 CCAFS SLC-17B DM-F3 4383 kg GTO US Air Force Partial failure[15] Reached lower than planned orbit, final flight of Delta III, Demosat
December 21, 2004
21:50 		Delta IV Heavy CCAFS SLC-37B DemoSat[16] / 3CS-1 / 3CS-2 >6020 kg GSO (planned) Partial failure[17] Demonstration payload, Payloads did not reach correct orbits, First Delta IV Heavy launch

References

  1. ↑ Romanova, N.; Crosby, N.; Pilipenko, V. (2013-05-28). "Relationship of Worldwide Rocket Launch Crashes with Geophysical Parameters" (in en). International Journal of Geophysics 2013: e297310. doi:10.1155/2013/297310. ISSN 1687-885X. 
  2. ↑ "table1.32". 2004-11-18. https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4012/vol3/table1.32.htm. 
  3. ↑ "table1.33". https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4012/vol3/table1.33.htm. 
  4. ↑ "NASA - NSSDCA - Spacecraft - Details". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1978-039A. 
  5. ↑ "Vintage ISEE-3 satellite makes long-awaited flyby on Sunday" (in en-US). 2014-08-09. https://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-isee3-flyby-20140808-story.html. 
  6. ↑ "NASA - NSSDCA - Spacecraft - Details". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1989-089A. 
  7. ↑ "NSSDC Master Catalog Spacecraft Query Form". 1997-04-13. http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/sc-query.html. 
  8. ↑ "History of the Delta Launch Vehicle". https://kevinforsyth.net/delta/. 
  9. ↑ "CNN - Unmanned rocket explodes after liftoff - Jan. 17, 1997". http://www.cnn.com/TECH/9701/17/rocket.explosion/index.html. 
  10. ↑ "Delta". 2010-01-07. http://astronautix.com/lvs/delta.htm. 
  11. ↑ "Delta 6000". 2009-09-12. http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/dela6000.htm. 
  12. ↑ "Delta 7000". 2009-09-11. http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/dela7000.htm. 
  13. ↑ "Paul Maley's Satellite Page". 2005-02-27. http://www.eclipsetours.com/sat/debris.html. 
  14. ↑ "Unmanned rocket explodes after liftoff". 17 January 1997. http://www.cnn.com/TECH/9701/17/rocket.explosion/index.html. 
  15. ↑ "Delta 3 rocket falls short but still a success, Boeing says". Spaceflight Now. August 24, 2000. http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d280/000824loworbit.html. 
  16. ↑ "The DemoSat payload (Boeing Fact Sheet)". Spaceflight Now. 2004-12-01. http://spaceflightnow.com/delta/d310/041201demosat.html. 
  17. ↑ Ray, Justin (December 22, 2004). "Delta 4-Heavy hits snag on test flight". Spaceflight Now. http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d310/. 



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