Delta 2000
Encyclopedia
The Delta 2000 series was an American
expendable launch system
which was used to conduct forty-four orbit
al launches between 1974 and 1981. It was a member of the Delta family of rockets. Several variants existed, which were differentiated by a four digit numerical code.
The first stage was an Extended Long Tank Thor, re-engined with the Rocketdyne
RS-27 replacing the earlier MB-3-III. Three or nine Castor-2 solid rocket booster
s were attached to increase thrust at lift-off. The Delta P, first flown on the 1000-series
, was used as the second stage. Launches which required a three-stage configuration in order to reach higher orbits used either the Star-37D or 37E upper stage.
Delta 2000 launches occurred from Space Launch Complex 2W
at Vandenberg AFB and both pads of Launch Complex 17
at Cape Canaveral
. Forty three out of forty four launches were successful. The single failure being the maiden flight, which placed Skynet 2A into a useless orbit.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
expendable launch system
Expendable launch system
An expendable launch system is a launch system that uses an expendable launch vehicle to carry a payload into space. The vehicles used in expendable launch systems are designed to be used only once , and their components are not recovered for re-use after launch...
which was used to conduct forty-four orbit
Orbit
In physics, an orbit is the gravitationally curved path of an object around a point in space, for example the orbit of a planet around the center of a star system, such as the Solar System...
al launches between 1974 and 1981. It was a member of the Delta family of rockets. Several variants existed, which were differentiated by a four digit numerical code.
The first stage was an Extended Long Tank Thor, re-engined with the Rocketdyne
Rocketdyne
Rocketdyne was a Rocket engine design and production company headquartered in Canoga Park, California, United States. The company was related to North American Aviation for most of its history. NAA merged with Rockwell International, which was then bought by Boeing in December, 1996...
RS-27 replacing the earlier MB-3-III. Three or nine Castor-2 solid rocket booster
Solid rocket booster
Solid rocket boosters or Solid Rocket Motors, SRM, are used to provide thrust in spacecraft launches from the launchpad up to burnout of the SRBs. Many launch vehicles include SRBs, including the Ariane 5, Atlas V , and the NASA Space Shuttle...
s were attached to increase thrust at lift-off. The Delta P, first flown on the 1000-series
Delta 1000
The Delta 1000 series was an American expendable launch system which was used to conduct eight orbital launches between 1972 and 1975. It was a member of the Delta family of rockets. Several variants existed, differentiated by a four digit numerical code....
, was used as the second stage. Launches which required a three-stage configuration in order to reach higher orbits used either the Star-37D or 37E upper stage.
Delta 2000 launches occurred from Space Launch Complex 2W
Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 2
Space Launch Complex 2 is an active rocket launch site at Vandenberg Air Force Base, in California, USA. It consists of two launch pads. The East pad , which has been demolished, was used for Delta, Thor-Agena and Thorad launches between 1966 and 1972...
at Vandenberg AFB and both pads of Launch Complex 17
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 17
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 17 , previously designated Launch Complex 17 , was a launch site at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida used for Thor and Delta rocket launches between 1958 and 2011....
at Cape Canaveral
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is an installation of the United States Air Force Space Command's 45th Space Wing, headquartered at nearby Patrick Air Force Base. Located on Cape Canaveral in the state of Florida, CCAFS is the primary launch head of America's Eastern Range with four launch pads...
. Forty three out of forty four launches were successful. The single failure being the maiden flight, which placed Skynet 2A into a useless orbit.