Delta N6 prior to the launch ofITOS B | |
| Function | Expendable launch system |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | Cape CanaveralLC-17A VandenbergSLC-2 |
| Total launches | 9 |
| Success(es) | 8 |
| Failure | 1 |
| First flight | 18 September 1968 |
| Last flight | 12 March 1972 |
TheDelta N orThor-Delta N was an Americanexpendable launch system used for nineorbital launches between 1968 and 1972. It was a member of theDelta family of rockets, and the last Delta to be given an alphabetical designation - subsequent rockets were designated using afour digit numerical code.
The Delta N consisted of two stages. The first stage was theLong Tank Thor, a stretched version of theThor missile, previously flown on theDelta L andDelta M. ThreeCastor-2solid rocket boosters were attached to increase thrust at lift-off. ADelta E was used as the second stage. If an increased payload capacity was required, six boosters were flown instead of three, in a configuration known as the Delta N6, or "Super Six". Three launches used the N6 configuration.
Delta N rockets were launched fromLaunch Complex 17A at theCape Canaveral Air Force Station, andSLC-2 atVandenberg AFB. There was one failure, the launch of ITOS E on October 21, 1971. The Delta second stage developed an oxidizer leak about 40 seconds into launch so that when its burn began, the engine quickly lost thrust. In addition, the leaking LOX started pushing the stage off its proper flight path. The guidance system tried to compensate by repeatedly firing the attitude control jets, but this resulted in the rapid exhaustion of their propellant and the launch vehicle started tumbling uncontrollably. The ITOS satellite separated on schedule, but was facing in the wrong direction for orbital insertion, so it simply reentered the atmosphere and burned up. The second stage itself and several pieces of debris did manage to reach orbit and remained there for several weeks.[1][2]
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