The Delta A, or Thor-Delta A was an American expendable launch system used to launch two Explorer spacecraft in October 1962. A derivative of the Thor-Delta, it was a member of the Delta family of launch vehicles. The Thor-Delta itself was a Thor booster with an Able second stage and Altair third stage.[1][2]

Delta A launching Explorer 14
FunctionExpendable launch system
Country of originUnited States
Launch history
StatusRetired
Launch sitesCape Canaveral LC-17
Total launches2
Success(es)2
First flight2 October 1962
Last flight27 October 1962

The first stage was a Thor missile in the DM-21 configuration, and the second stage was the Delta-A, an uprated version of the original Delta. An Altair solid rocket motor was used as a third stage. Both launches occurred from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) Launch Complex 17B, and were successful. The first launched Explorer 14, and the second Explorer 15.

References

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  1. ^ Wade, Mark. "Delta". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 9 February 2009.
  2. ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Thor family". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 9 February 2009.