The Delta launch vehicle - Past, present and future
Abstract
The Delta launch vehicle is described, including a summary of past performance, vehicle characteristics, and future capabilities. Noting that 153 successful launches have already been achieved, details of the vehicle subsystems and their operation are presented, most of which were chosen from off-the-shelf hardware. Features of the Payload Assist Module (PAM), which can ride the Shuttle or the Delta and be used to boost payloads into GEO, are given. STS delays have led to the development of an improved second stage for the Delta, to handle larger satellites originally earmarked for the Shuttle manifest, such as the Landsat-D, which is to be launched in 1982. Payload capability is now 1,111 kg, increasing to 1,270 kg with the PAM by using a 6-3 solid rocket firing sequence of the strap-on boosters, 29 firm Delta and 14 Shuttle back-up launches are scheduled, noting that future Delta use is constrained mainly to placing communication satellites in GEO.
- Publication:
-
The Year of the Shuttle
- Pub Date:
- 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981yesh.proc....6G
- Keywords:
-
- Delta Launch Vehicle;
- Launch Vehicle Configurations;
- Technology Assessment;
- Communication Satellites;
- Payload Assist Module;
- Space Transportation System;
- Upper Stage Rocket Engines;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles