List of Thor and Delta launches (1970–1979)
Introduction Between 1970 and 1979, there were 117 Thor missiles launched, of which 108 were successful, giving a 92.3% success rate.NASA used it to launch its own satellites, as well as to launch satellites for foreign governments and companies.
Launch statistics === Rocket configurations ====== Launch sites ====== Launch outcomes ===
1970 There were 19 Thor missiles launched in 1970.18 of the 19 launches were successful, giving a 94.7% success rate. Date/Time(UTC) Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks 1970-01-1500:16 Delta M Delta 75Thor 557 CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-6 Communication satellite GTO   1970-01-2311:52 Delta N6 Delta 76Thor 542 VAFB SLC-2W ITOS 1 / Oscar 5 Weather Satellite / Amateur radio satellite LEO / SSO   1970-02-0402:59 Thorad SLV-2G Agena-D Thor 534Agena Unknown VAFB SLC-2E SERT 2 Technological demonstration satellite MEO  1970-02-1108:40 Thor Burner 2 Thor 287 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5A-F1 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO   1970-03-0422:15 Thorad SLV-2H Agena-D Thor 551Agena 1657 VAFB SLC-3W KH-4B (S/N 1109) Reconnaissance  LEO  1970-03-2023:46 Delta M Delta 77Thor 558 CCAFS SLC-17A NATO 1 Military communication satellite GTO   1970-03-2707:37 Thor DSV-2J Thor 152 Johnston LE-1  ASAT test Suborbital   1970-04-0808:17 Thorad SLV-2G Agena-D Thor 553Agena 6223 VAFB SLC-2E Nimbus 4 / TOPO-1 Weather satellite / Geodesic research satellite LEO / SSO  1970-04-2300:46 Delta M Delta 78Thor 559 CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-7 Communication satellite GTO   1970-04-24 Thor DSV-2J Thor 225 Johnston LE-1  Satellite Inspection test Suborbital  Thor rocket collided with the satellite. 1970-05-2021:35 Thorad SLV-2H Agena-D Thor 555Agena 1657 VAFB SLC-3W KH-4B (S/N 1110) Reconnaissance  LEO  1970-07-2301:25 Thorad SLV-2H Agena-D Thor 556Agena 1654 VAFB SLC-3W KH-4B (S/N 1111) Reconnaissance  LEO  1970-07-2323:23 Delta M Delta 79Thor 563 CCAFS SLC-17A Intelsat 3-8 Communication satellite GTO   1970-08-1912:11 Delta M Delta 80Thor 561 CCAFS SLC-17A Skynet-1B Military communication satellite GTO   1970-08-2610:01 Thorad SLV-2G Agena-D Thor 535Agena 2736 VAFB SLC-1W Ferret 15 (OPS 8329) ELINT LEO  1970-09-0308:39 Thor Burner 2 Thor 288 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5A-F2 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO   1970-09-2412:54 Thor DSV-2J Thor 271 Johnston LE-2  Astronomy research flight Suborbital  1970-11-1821:29 Thorad SLV-2H Agena-D Thor 552Agena 1658 VAFB SLC-3W KH-4B (S/N 1112) Reconnaissance  LEO  1970-12-1111:35 Delta N6 Delta 81Thor 546 VAFB SLC-2W NOAA-1 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO
1971 There were 14 Thor missiles launched in 1971.12 of the 14 launches were successful, giving an 85.7% success rate. Date/Time(UTC) Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks 1971-02-0301:41 Delta M Delta 82Thor 560 CCAFS SLC-17A NATO 2 Military communication satellite GTO   1971-02-1703:52 Thor Burner 2 Thor 249 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5A-F3 / Calsphere 3A / Calsphere 4 / Calsphere 5 Military weather satellite / Technology demonstration (x3) LEO / SSO   1971-02-1720:04 Thorad SLV-2H Agena-D Thor 537Agena 1659 VAFB SLC-3W KH-4B (S/N 1113) Reconnaissance  LEO  Improper pre-flight procedure caused frozen lubricant to form a plug that resulted in complete turbopump failure 18 seconds after liftoff. The booster lost thrust and impacted the ground not far from the launch complex. 1971-03-1316:15 Delta M6 Delta 83Thor 562 CCAFS SLC-17A Explorer 43 (IMP-H) Magnetosphere research satellite HEO   1971-03-2421:05 Thorad SLV-2H Agena-D Thor 538Agena 1660 VAFB SLC-3W KH-4B (S/N 1114) Reconnaissance  LEO  1971-04-0102:53 Delta E1 Delta 84Thor 491 VAFB SLC-2E ISIS-II Ionosphere research satellite LEO / SSO   1971-06-0814:00 Thor Burner 2 Thor 210 VAFB SLC-10W SESP-1 (P70-1) Technological demonstration satellite LEO   1971-07-1621:29 Thorad SLV-2H Agena-D Thor 552Agena 1658 VAFB SLC-1W Ferret 16 (OPS 8373) ELINT LEO  1971-09-1021:33 Thorad SLV-2H Agena-D Thor 567Agena 1662 VAFB SLC-3W KH-4B (S/N 1115) Reconnaissance  LEO  1971-09-2909:50 Delta N Delta 85Thor 565 CCAFS SLC-17A OSO 7 / TTS-4 Solar observation satellite / Technology demonstration LEO, 321×572 km, 93.2 min, i=33.1°, e=0.0184  2nd stage suffered a failure of the attitude control system, however the satellite reached orbit and ground controllers were able to correct its flight path. 1971-10-1407:51 Thor Burner 2A Thor 159 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5B-F1 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO   1971-10-1713:36 Thorad SLV-2G Agena-D Thor 570Agena Unknown VAFB SLC-1W ASTEX (P71-2) Technological demonstration satellite LEO  1971-10-2111:32 Delta N6 Delta 86Thor 572 VAFB SLC-2E ITOS-B Weather Satellite ''planned: LEO / SSO''  2nd stage oxidizer leak starting at T+20 seconds. The attitude control system ran out of propellant trying to correct the stage's flight path and the launch vehicle reentered the atmosphere and broke up above the Arctic Circle. 1971-12-1421:13 Thorad SLV-2G Agena-D Thor 568Agena Unknown VAFB SLC-1W Poppy (OPS 7898) (x4) ELINT LEO  Final flight of SLV-2G
1972 There were 11 Thor missiles launched in 1972.All 11 launches were successful. Date/Time(UTC) Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks 1972-01-3117:20 Delta L Delta 87Thor 564 VAFB SLC-2E HEOS-2 Magnetosphere research satellite HEO   1972-03-1200:00 Delta N Delta 88Thor 573 VAFB SLC-2E TD-1A Astronomical research satellite LEO / SSO   1972-03-2408:46 Thor Burner 2A Thor 153 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5B-F2 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO   1972-04-1921:43 Thorad SLV-2H Agena-D Thor 569Agena 1661 VAFB SLC-3W KH-4B (S/N 1116) Reconnaissance  LEO  1972-05-2518:41 Thorad SLV-2H Agena-D Thor 571Agena 1663 VAFB SLC-3W KH-4B (S/N 1117) Reconnaissance  LEO  Final flight of Thorad-AgenaLast Corona spacecraft 1972-07-2318:06 Delta 904 Delta 89Thor 574 VAFB SLC-2W Landsat 1 Earth Resource Technology Satellite 917 km LEO, near polar, Sun synchronous. First use of 9 strap-on SRBs. Discovered Landsat Island. 1972-09-2313:20 Delta 1604 Delta 90Thor 579 CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 47 (IMP-I) Magnetospheric research satellite HEO  First successful flight of Delta-1000 series. 15 October 197217:17 Delta 300 Delta 91Thor 575 VAFB, SLC-2W NOAA-2 / AMSAT-OSCAR 6 Weather satellite / Amateur radio satellite LEO / SSO   1972-11-0903:43 Thor Burner 2A Thor 294 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5B-F3 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO   1972-11-1001:14 Delta 1914 Delta 92Thor 580 CCAFS SLC-17B Anik-A1 Communication Satellite GTO   1972-12-1107:56 Delta 900 Delta 93Thor 577 VAFB SLC-2W Nimbus-5 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO
1973 There were 7 Thor missiles launched in 1973.6 of the 7 launches were successful, giving an 85.7% success rate. Date/Time(UTC) Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks 1973-04-2023:47 Delta 1914 Delta 94Thor 583 CCAFS SLC-17B Anik-A2 Communication Satellite GTO   1973-06-1014:13 Delta 1913 Delta 95Thor 581 CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 49 (RAE-B) Radio astronomy satellite Lunar Orbit  1973-07-1617:10 Delta 300 Delta 96Thor 578 VAFB SLC-2W ITOS-E Weather Satellite ''planned: LEO / SSO''  Hydraulic pump malfunction led to failure of the 2nd stage attitude control system. The booster and payload reentered the atmosphere and broke up. 1973-08-1704:49 Thor Burner 2A Thor 291 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5B-F4 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO   1973-10-2602:26 Delta 1604 Delta 97Thor 582 CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 50 (IMP-J) Magnetospheric research satellite HEO   1973-11-0614:02 Delta 300 Delta 98Thor 576 VAFB SLC-2W NOAA-3 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO   1973-12-1606:18 Delta 1900 Delta 99Thor 585 VAFB SLC-2W Explorer 51 (AE-C) Atmospheric research satellite MEO
1974 There were 9 Thor missiles launched in 1974.8 of the 9 launches were successful, giving an 88.9% success rate. Date/Time(UTC) Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks 1974-01-1901:38 Delta 2313 Delta 100Thor 587 CCAFS SLC-17B Skynet-2A Military communication satellite ''planned: GTO''  First flight of the Delta 2000 series. Stage 2 electronics package short circuited (induced by a piece of conductive contaminant shaken loose during launch), leading to loss of control. 1974-03-1608:00 Thor Burner 2A Thor 207 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5B-F5 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO   1974-04-1321:33 Delta 2914 Delta 101Thor 588 CCAFS SLC-17B Westar-1 Communication satellite GTO   1974-05-1710:31 Delta 2914 Delta 102Thor 590 CCAFS SLC-17B SMS-1 Weather satellite GTO   1974-08-0903:22 Thor Burner 2A Thor 275 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5C-F1 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO   1974-10-1022:53 Delta 2914 Delta 103Thor 589 CCAFS SLC-17B Westar-2 Communication satellite GTO   1974-11-1517:11 Delta 2310 Delta 104Thor 592 VAFB SLC-2W NOAA-4 / Oscar 7 / Intasat Weather Satellite / Amateur radio satellite / Ionosphere research LEO / SSO   1974-11-2300:28 Delta 2313 Delta 105Thor 591 CCAFS SLC-17B Skynet-2B Military communication satellite GTO   1974-12-1902:39 Delta 2914 Delta 106Thor 599 CCAFS SLC-17B Symphonie-1 Communication satellite GTO
1975 There were 16 Thor missiles launched in 1975.All 16 launches were successful. Date/Time(UTC) Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks 1975-01-2217:56 Delta 2910 Delta 107Thor 598 VAFB SLC-2W Landsat 2 Earth Resource Technology Satellite 917 km LEO, near polar, Sun synchronous. Satellite operated until Feb 25, 1982.1975-02-0622:04 Delta 2914 Delta 108Thor 593 CCAFS SLC-17B SMS-2 Weather satellite GTO   1975-04-1023:50 Delta 1410 Delta 109Thor 584 VAFB SLC-2W GEOS-C Geodetic research satellite LEO   1975-05-0723:35 Delta 2914 Delta 110Thor 596 CCAFS SLC-17B Anik-A3 Communication Satellite GTO   1975-05-2403:22 Thor Burner 2A Thor 197 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5C-F2 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO   1975-06-1208:12 Delta 2910 Delta 111Thor 595 VAFB SLC-2W Nimbus-6 Weather Satellite LEO / SSO   1975-06-2111:43 Delta 1910 Delta 112Thor 586 CCAFS SLC-17B OSO-8 Solar observation satellite LEO  1975-08-0901:47 Delta 2913 Delta 113Thor 602 VAFB SLC-2W COS-B High-energy astronomy research satellite HEO   1975-09-0905:30 N-I N-1 (F) Tanegashima SLC-N ETS-1 (Kiku-1) Technological demonstration satellite MEO  First Japanese licensed built Delta flight. 1975-08-2701:42 Delta 2914 Delta 114Thor 594 CCAFS SLC-17A Symphonie-2 Communication satellite GTO   1975-09-19 Thor DSV-2J Thor 201 Johnston LE-2  Missile defense test tracking target Suborbital  1975-10-0609:01 Delta 2910 Delta 115Thor 600 VAFB SLC-2W Explorer 54 (AE-D) Atmospheric research satellite MEO   1975-10-1622:40 Delta 2914 Delta 116Thor 597 CCAFS SLC-17B GOES-A (GOES-1) Weather satellite GTO   1975-11-06 Thor DSV-2J Thor 274 Johnston LE-2  Missile defense test tracking target Suborbital  Last sub-orbital Thor series flight 1975-11-2002:06 Delta 2910 Delta 117Thor 604 CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 55 (AE-E) Atmospheric research satellite MEO   1975-12-1301:56 Delta 3914 Delta 118Thor 607 CCAFS SLC-17A Satcom-1 Communication satellite GTO  First flight of the Delta 3000 series.
1976 There were 12 Thor missiles launched in 1976.11 of the 12 launches were successful, giving a 91.7% success rate. Date/Time(UTC) Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks 1976-01-1723:28 Delta 2914 Delta 119Thor 606 CCAFS SLC-17B CTS 1 ''Hermes'' Experimental communication satellite GTO   1976-02-1907:52 Thor Burner 2A Thor 182 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5C-F3 Military weather satellite ''planned: LEO / SSO''  Thor stage not loaded with enough kerosene fuel due to incorrect LR79 main engine data sheet entry. Satellite re-entered after one orbit. 1976-02-1922:32 Delta 2914 Delta 120Thor 603 CCAFS SLC-17B Marisat-1 Communication satellite GTO   1976-02-2903:30 N-I N-2 (F) Tanegashima SLC-N ISS-1 (Ume-1) Ionospheric research satellite MEO   1976-03-2622:42 Delta 3914 Delta 121Thor 610 CCAFS SLC-17A Satcom-2 Communication satellite GTO   1976-04-2220:46 Delta 2914 Delta 122Thor 608 CCAFS SLC-17B NATO 3A Military communication satellite GTO   1976-05-0408:00 Delta 2913 Delta 123Thor 609 VAFB SLC-2W LAGEOS-1 Geodesic research satellite MEO   1976-06-1000:09 Delta 2914 Delta 124Thor 601 CCAFS SLC-17A Marisat-2 Communication satellite GTO   1976-07-0823:31 Delta 2914 Delta 125Thor 611 CCAFS SLC-17A Palapa-A1 Communication satellite GTO   1976-07-2917:07 Delta 2310 Delta 126Thor 605 VAFB SLC-2W NOAA-5 Weather satellite LEO / SSO   1976-09-1108:00 Thor DSV-2U Thor 172 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5D-F1 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO   1976-10-1422:44 Delta 2914 Delta 127Thor 614 CCAFS SLC-17A Marisat-3 Communication satellite GTO
1977 There were 12 Thor missiles launched in 1977.10 of the 12 launches were successful, giving an 83.3% success rate. Date/Time(UTC) Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks 1977-01-2800:49 Delta 2914 Delta 128Thor 613 CCAFS SLC-17A NATO 3B Military communication satellite GTO   1977-02-2308:50 N-I N-3 (F) Tanegashima SLC-N ETS-2 (Kiku-2) Experimental communication satellite GTO   1977-03-1023:16 Delta 2914 Delta 129Thor 612 CCAFS SLC-17A Palapa-A2 Communication satellite GTO   1977-04-2010:15 Delta 2914 Delta 130Thor 617 CCAFS SLC-17B ESA-GEOS-1 Magnetosphere research satellite ''planned: GTO''  Premature separation of second and third stages led to failure of Stage 3 spin up. 1977-06-0502:59 Thor DSV-2U Thor 183 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5D-F2 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO   1977-06-1610:51 Delta 2914 Delta 131Thor 616 CCAFS SLC-17B GOES-B (GOES-2) Weather satellite GTO   1977-07-1414:56 Delta 2914 Delta 132Thor 618 CCAFS SLC-17B GMS-1 Weather satellite GTO   1977-08-2523:50 Delta 2313 Delta 133Thor 615 CCAFS SLC-17B Sirio-1 Experimental communication satellite GTO   1977-09-1323:21 Delta 3914 Delta 134Thor 619 CCAFS SLC-17A OTS-1 Experimental communication satellite ''planned: GTO''  Launch vehicle exploded at T+52 seconds due to a rupture of the SRM #1 casing. 1977-10-2213:53 Delta 2914 Delta 135Thor 623 CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 56 (ISEE-A / B) Magnetospheric research satellites HEO   1977-11-2301:35 Delta 2914 Delta 136Thor 620 CCAFS SLC-17A Meteosat-1 Weather satellite GTO   1977-12-1500:47 Delta 2914 Delta 137Thor 624 CCAFS SLC-17B CS-1 Experimental communication satellite GTO
1978 There were 12 Thor missiles launched in 1978.All 12 launches were successful. Date/Time(UTC) Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks 1978-01-2617:36 Delta 2914 Delta 138Thor 613 CCAFS SLC-17A Explorer 57 (International Ultraviolet Explorer) Astronomical observatory satellite HEO  Satellite operational until 1996.1978-02-1504:00 N-I N-4 (F) Tanegashima SLC-N ISS-2 (Ume-2) Ionospheric research satellite MEO   1978-03-0517:54 Delta 2910 Delta 139Thor 621 VAFB SLC-2W Landsat 3 Earth Resource Technology Satellite 917 km LEO, near polar, Sun synchronous. Satellite decommissioned on March 21, 1983.7 April 197822:01 Delta 2914 Delta 140Thor 626 CCAFS, SLC-17B BSE-1 Direct-broadcast satellite GTO  First of Japanese BSE series, also known as "Yuri 1". 1978-05-0103:05 Thor DSV-2U Thor 143 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5D-F3 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO   1978-05-1122:59 Delta 3914 Delta 141Thor 627 CCAFS SLC-17A OTS-2 Experimental communication satellite  GTO   1978-06-1610:49 Delta 2914 Delta 142Thor 625 CCAFS SLC-17B GOES-C (GOES-3) Weather satellite GTO   1978-07-1410:43 Delta 2914 Delta 143Thor 631 CCAFS SLC-17A ESA-GEOS-2 Magnetosphere research satellite GTO   1978-08-1215:12 Delta 2914 Delta 144Thor 633 CCAFS SLC-17B Explorer 59 (ISEE-3) Magnetospheric research satellite HEO to Sun-Earth L1 halo orbitEventually shifted to heliocentric  First satellite to use Lagrangian point and halo orbitLater re-classified as the International Cometary Explorer. Satellite still operational as of 2014.1978-10-2408:14 Delta 2910 Delta 145Thor 630 VAFB SLC-2W Nimbus-7 / CAMEO Weather Satellite / Ionosphere research LEO / SSO   1978-11-1900:46 Delta 2914 Delta 146Thor 634 CCAFS SLC-17B NATO 3C Military communication satellite GTO   1978-12-1600:21 Delta 3914 Delta 147Thor 632 CCAFS SLC-17A Anik-B1 Communication Satellite GTO
1979 There were 5 Thor missiles launched in 1979.4 of the 5 launches were successful, giving an 80% success rate. Date/Time(UTC) Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks 1979-01-3021:42 Delta 2914 Delta 148Thor 629 CCAFS SLC-17B SCATHA (P78-2) Military technological research satellite HEO   1979-02-0608:46 N-I N-5 (F) Tanegashima SLC-N ECS-A (Ayame 1) Experimental communication satellite ''planned: GTO''  Recontact between satellite and upper stage. 1979-06-0618:22 Thor DSV-2U Thor 264 VAFB SLC-10W DMSP-5D-F4 Military weather satellite LEO / SSO   1979-08-1000:20 Delta 2914 Delta 149Thor 638 CCAFS SLC-17A Westar-3 Communication Satellite GTO   1979-12-0701:35 Delta 3914 Delta 150Thor 622 CCAFS SLC-17A Satcom-3 Communication satellite GTO
References