Launch of a Delta E withPioneer 6 | |
| Function | Expendable launch system |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | Cape CanaveralLC-17 VandenbergSLC-2E |
| Total launches | 23 |
| Success(es) | 23 |
| First flight | 6 November 1965 |
| Last flight | 1 April 1971 |
TheDelta E, orThor-Delta E was an Americanexpendable launch system used for twenty-threeorbital launches between 1965 and 1971. It was a member of theDelta family of rockets.[1]
The first stage was aThor missile in theDSV-2C configuration, and the second stage was the Delta-E, which was derived from the earlierDelta-A.[2][3][4] ThreeCastor-1solid rocket boosters were clustered around the first stage. Two differentsolid-fuel upper stages were available; anAltair-2 was used on the baseline version, however this could be replaced with anFW-4D to increase performance. A Delta E with the FW-4D upper stage was designated Delta E1. Six flights used the Delta E configuration and seventeen used the Delta E1.[5][6]
Delta E rockets were launched fromCape Canaveral Air Force StationLaunch Complex 17 andVandenberg Air Force BaseSpace Launch Complex 2E. All 23 flights were successful. On December 16 1965, a Delta E launched thePioneer 6space probe.[1][4]
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