Key facts
- Type
- Expendable launch system
- Manufacturer
- Douglas Aircraft Company (1960–1967) McDonnell Douglas (1960–1997) Boeing (1997–2006) United Launch Alliance (2006–2024)
- Status
- Out of service
- Introduction date
- 13 May 1960 ( Echo 1 )
- First flight
- May 13, 1960 ; 66 years ago ( 1960-05-13 )
- Retired
- 9 April 2024 ( NROL-70 )
via Wikipedia infobox
~17 min read
Encyclopedic overview
The Delta rocket family was a versatile range of American rocket-powered expendable launch systems that provided space launch capability in the United States from 1960 to 2024. Japan also launched license-built derivatives (N-I, N-II, and H-I) from 1975 to 1992. More than 300 Delta rockets were launched with a 95% success rate. The series was phased out in favor of the Vulcan Centaur, with the Delta IV Heavy rocket's last launch occurring on April 9, 2024.
Origins
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Delta” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.