# Delta B

> American expendable launch vehicle

**Wikidata**: [Q49528](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q49528)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_B)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/delta-b

## Summary
Delta B was an American expendable launch vehicle, part of the Thor-Delta rocket family, used to deploy satellites in the early 1960s. It was a three-stage rocket consisting of the Thor DM-21 first stage, AJ10 second stage, and Altair third stage.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Expendable launch vehicle, part of the Thor-Delta rocket family.
- **Stages**: Three-stage configuration (Thor DM-21, AJ10, Altair).
- **Country of Origin**: United States.
- **Notable Payloads**: Launched satellites including Explorer 17, Syncom 1, Relay 2, and TIROS-8.
- **Launch Failures**: Associated with the loss of the Beacon Explorer-A satellite due to a launch failure.
- **Aliases**: Also known as Thor-Delta B.
- **Wikidata Description**: "American expendable launch vehicle."

## FAQs
### Q: What was the Delta B rocket used for?
A: The Delta B was an expendable launch vehicle used primarily to deploy research and communications satellites, including NASA's Explorer 17 and Syncom 1.

### Q: What were the stages of the Delta B rocket?
A: The Delta B consisted of three stages: the Thor DM-21 first stage, the AJ10 second stage, and the Altair third stage.

### Q: Which satellites were launched by the Delta B?
A: Notable satellites launched by the Delta B include Explorer 17, Syncom 1, Relay 2, Telstar 2, and TIROS-8.

### Q: Was the Delta B involved in any launch failures?
A: Yes, the Beacon Explorer-A satellite was lost due to a launch failure involving the Delta B.

### Q: What is the relationship between Delta B and the Thor-Delta class?
A: The Delta B is a specific model within the Thor-Delta class of American expendable launch systems.

## Why It Matters
The Delta B played a crucial role in the early development of space exploration and satellite technology. As part of the Thor-Delta family, it contributed to the deployment of key research and communications satellites, advancing scientific understanding and global communications. Its use in launching satellites like Explorer 17 and Syncom 1 highlights its importance in NASA's early missions. The Delta B also demonstrates the evolution of rocket technology, showcasing the transition from experimental launches to more reliable and sophisticated space missions.

## Notable For
- **Early Satellite Launches**: Successfully deployed several significant satellites, including Explorer 17 and Syncom 1.
- **Three-Stage Design**: Utilized a three-stage configuration, which was advanced for its time.
- **Part of Thor-Delta Family**: A key model in the Thor-Delta class of rockets, known for their reliability and versatility.
- **Contributions to NASA Missions**: Played a role in NASA's Explorer program and other research initiatives.
- **Historical Significance**: Represents an important step in the development of American space launch capabilities.

## Body
### Overview
The Delta B was an American expendable launch vehicle designed to deploy satellites into orbit. It was part of the Thor-Delta rocket family, which was known for its reliability and versatility in the early days of space exploration.

### Technical Specifications
- **Stages**: The Delta B consisted of three stages:
  - **First Stage**: Thor DM-21
  - **Second Stage**: AJ10
  - **Third Stage**: Altair
- **Payloads**: The rocket was used to launch a variety of satellites, including research and communications satellites.

### Notable Launches
- **Explorer 17**: A NASA research satellite launched by the Delta B.
- **Syncom 1**: A communications satellite launched by the Delta B.
- **Relay 2**: Another communications satellite deployed by the Delta B.
- **TIROS-8**: A weather satellite launched by the Delta B.
- **Beacon Explorer-A**: A NASA research satellite that was lost due to a launch failure involving the Delta B.

### Historical Context
The Delta B was developed during a period of rapid advancement in space technology. It was part of a series of rockets that helped establish the United States as a leader in space exploration. The Delta B's contributions to the deployment of research and communications satellites were significant, as they advanced scientific understanding and global communications capabilities.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Delta B",
  "description": "American expendable launch vehicle",
  "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_B",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1234567", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_B"],
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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. BabelNet