Delta 2000

This article is about the rocket designated Delta 2000 under the old designation system. For the new system, see Delta II.

Delta 2000 series

Launch of IUE on a Delta 2914
Function	Expendable launch system
Country of origin	United States
Launch history
Status	Retired
Launch sites	Canaveral LC-17 Vandenberg SLC-2W
Total launches	44
Successes	43
Maiden flight	19 January 1974
Last flight	6 October 1981

The Delta 2000 series was an American expendable launch system which was used to conduct forty-four orbital 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 boosters 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.

References

• Wade, Mark. "Delta". Encyclopedia Astronautica. http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/delta.htm. Retrieved 2009-02-15. 
• Krebs, Gunter. "Thor family". Gunter's Space Page. http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_fam/thor.htm. Retrieved 2009-02-15.