# Delta 286

> rocket launch

**Wikidata**: [Q50579908](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q50579908)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/delta-286

## Summary
Delta 286 was a space mission and rocket launch that took place on June 30, 2001. Utilizing a Delta II launch vehicle, the mission deployed the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17. It is classified as an instance of a Delta II rocket launch and was succeeded by Delta 287.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** June 30, 2001
- **Launch Vehicle:** Delta II (retired expendable launch system)
- **Payload:** Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe
- **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17
- **Instance of:** Space mission, Rocket launch
- **Succeeded by:** Delta 287
- **Commons Category:** Delta 286

## FAQs
### Q: When was the Delta 286 mission launched?
A: The Delta 286 mission launched on June 30, 2001.

### Q: what payload did the Delta 286 carry?
A: The rocket launch carried the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe as its passenger or cargo.

### Q: Where did the Delta 286 launch take place?
A: The launch occurred at the Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.

## Why It Matters
Delta 286 holds a specific place in aerospace history as the designated mission for launching the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe. While the broader Delta II family is now classified as a retired expendable launch system, this specific mission serves as a concrete example of the system's capability to deploy sensitive equipment. The event exemplifies the operational activity of the early 2000s space program, utilizing the well-established infrastructure of Cape Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 17.

By successfully carrying the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe on June 30, 2001, Delta 286 fulfilled a critical logistical role in space mission deployment. It stands as a verifiable data point in the sequence of Delta rocket launches, specifically preceding Delta 287. For researchers and enthusiasts tracking the lineage of the Delta II, Delta 286 provides essential data regarding launch dates, specific launch points, and payload configurations. The mission highlights the intersection of the Delta II launch vehicle with distinct space missions, marking it as a unique event in the timeline of rocket launches. Its documentation ensures the accurate preservation of the launch sequence and the specific hardware used during this period.

## Notable For
- **Specific Payload Deployment:** Distinguished by its transport of the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe.
- **Launch Infrastructure:** Utilized the historic Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.
- **Vehicle Lineage:** Serves as a specific recorded instance of the retired Delta II rocket family.
- **Chronological Sequencing:** Acts as the direct predecessor to the Delta 287 mission.

## Body

### Mission Profile
Delta 286 is defined as a space mission and a rocket launch. It is an instance of the Delta II class of launch vehicles. The mission is recorded as a significant event taking place specifically on June 30, 2001.

### Launch Specifications
The launch vehicle used for this mission was the Delta II, a retired expendable launch system belonging to the Delta rocket family. The start point for the mission was Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.

### Cargo and Sequence
The primary function of the Delta 286 launch was to carry the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe. In the sequence of Delta rocket launches, Delta 286 was immediately followed by Delta 287.