![]() Launch of the Delta J with Explorer 38 | |
Function | Expendable launch system |
---|---|
Country of origin | United States |
Launch history | |
Status | Retired |
Launch sites | Vandenberg, SLC-2E |
Total launches | 1 |
Success(es) | 1 |
UTC date of spacecraft launch | 4 July 1968 |
The Delta J or Thor-Delta J was an American expendable launch system of the late 1960s. Only one was launched, with the Explorer 38 spacecraft. It was a member of the Delta family of rockets.
The Delta J was derived from the Delta E. The first stage was a Thor missile in the DSV-2C configuration, with three Castor-1 solid rocket boosters clustered around it. A Delta E was used as the second stage. The Altair third stage of the Delta E was replaced with the more powerful Star 37D SRM.
The only Delta J to fly was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Space Launch Complex 2E on 4 July 1968. It successfully placed the Explorer 38 satellite into medium Earth orbit.[1][2]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Wade, Mark. "Delta". Archived from the original on 2008-07-24.
- ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Thor Family". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 2007-08-06. Retrieved 2021-12-21.