Delta 0100

Launch historyStatusRetiredLaunch sitesVandenberg SLC-2WTotal launches5Success(es)4Failure(s)1First flight23 July 1972Last flight6 November 1973

The Delta 0100 series, also Delta 100, 0300 or 300 series, was an American expendable launch system which conducted orbital launches between 1968 and 1972. It was a member of the Delta family of rockets, and the first to be designated using a four digit numerical code. Two variants were flown, individually designated Delta 0300 and Delta 0900.

The Long Tank Thor, a stretched version of the Thor missile, was used as the first stage of the Delta 0100 series. Castor-2 solid rocket boosters were attached to increase thrust at lift-off, three on the 0300 variant, and nine on the 0900. The second stage was a Delta F.

Five 0100 series rockets were launched, three using the 0300 configuration, and two in the 0900 configuration. All launches occurred from Space Launch Complex 2W at Vandenberg AFB. There was one failure, the launch of ITOS E on July 16, 1973. A hydraulic pump malfunction led to loss of pressure to the second stage attitude control thrusters, causing the launch vehicle to tumble out of control and break up in the atmosphere.

The Japanese N-I launch vehicle was derived from the Delta 0300, using a Japanese LE-3 engine on the second stage.^[1][2]

Capabilities

Capacity of the Delta 0100:

• Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), 1450 km × 101.990°: at least 309 kg (681 lb). ^[3][4][5]

References