# Delta M

> American expendable launch vehicle

**Wikidata**: [Q49553](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q49553)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_M)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/delta-m

## Summary
The Delta M, also known as the Thor-Delta M, is an American expendable launch vehicle used to deploy satellites into orbit. It is a specific rocket model within the Thor-Delta class of launch systems and was primarily utilized for launching both civilian and military communications satellites.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Rocket model and expendable launch vehicle.
- **Parent Class:** Thor-Delta expendable launch system.
- **Country of Origin:** United States.
- **Alternative Name:** Thor-Delta M.
- **Primary Payloads:** Intelsat III series and Skynet military satellites.
- **Notable Missions:** Launched the Skynet 1A and 1B military communications satellites.
- **Satellite Series:** Responsible for the delivery of the Intelsat III constellation (F-1 through F-8).
- **Technical Status:** Subclass of the Thor-Delta family of rockets.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Delta M?
A: The Delta M is an American expendable launch vehicle that belongs to the Thor-Delta class of rockets. It was designed to transport payloads, such as communications satellites, into space before being discarded.

### Q: What satellites were launched by the Delta M?
A: The Delta M launched several notable satellites, including the Skynet 1A and 1B military communications satellites and the Intelsat III series (F-1 through F-8). While many of these missions were successful geostationary deployments, some, like Intelsat III F-5 and F-8, were recorded as failures.

### Q: Is the Delta M related to the Thor-Delta rocket?
A: Yes, the Delta M is a specific model and subclass of the Thor-Delta expendable launch system. It is often referred to by the alias Thor-Delta M in technical and historical records.

## Why It Matters
The Delta M served as a critical component of the Thor-Delta launch system, a foundational class of American expendable launch vehicles. Its primary significance lies in its role as a delivery system for global and military communications infrastructure during a pivotal era of satellite deployment. By launching the Intelsat III series, the Delta M contributed to the establishment of geostationary communication networks that facilitated international telecommunications. These missions included the successful placement of satellites F-1, F-2, F-3, F-4, F-6, and F-7.

Beyond civilian applications, the Delta M was instrumental in military operations through the launch of the Skynet 1A and 1B satellites. These were dedicated military communications satellites, highlighting the vehicle's utility for defense-related aerospace missions. As a subclass of the Thor-Delta system, the Delta M represents a specific evolutionary step in the development of American rocketry, providing the necessary lift capacity and reliability required for the satellite technology of its time. Its history reflects the complexities of early space flight, where successful geostationary placements were balanced against the inherent risks of launch or orbital failures, as seen in the Intelsat III F-5 and F-8 missions.

## Notable For
- **Military Communications:** Successfully launched the Skynet 1A and Skynet 1B satellites for military use.
- **Intelsat III Program:** Served as the primary launch vehicle for the Intelsat III geostationary communications satellite constellation.
- **Geostationary Capability:** Demonstrated the ability to deliver multiple payloads (Intelsat III F-1, F-2, F-3, and F-4) into geostationary orbits.
- **Thor-Delta Lineage:** Represents a key variant in the long-running Thor-Delta class of American expendable launch systems.

## Body
### Classification and Development
The Delta M is a rocket model originating from the United States. It is classified as an expendable launch vehicle, meaning it is designed for a single use per flight. Within the hierarchy of American aerospace engineering, the Delta M is a subclass of the Thor-Delta expendable launch system. It is frequently identified in documentation by its alias, Thor-Delta M.

### Satellite Deployment and Missions
The mission history of the Delta M is closely tied to the expansion of global communications. It was the launch vehicle for the Intelsat III series of satellites:
*   **Successful Geostationary Launches:** Intelsat III F-1, Intelsat III F-2, Intelsat III F-3, Intelsat III F-4, Intelsat III F-6, and Intelsat III F-7.
*   **Mission Failures:** The vehicle was associated with the failed launches or deployments of Intelsat III F-5 and Intelsat III F-8.

### Military and Defense Contributions
In addition to civilian telecommunications, the Delta M played a role in military aerospace. It was responsible for launching the Skynet 1A and Skynet 1B satellites. These "Thing" entities were specialized military communications satellites, marking the Delta M as a vehicle capable of supporting national security infrastructure.

### Technical Identifiers
The Delta M is cataloged in various knowledge bases under specific identifiers:
*   **Freebase ID:** /m/05h2jff
*   **Wikidata ID:** Q15241312
*   **Wikipedia Title:** Delta M
*   **Commons Category:** Delta M

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Delta M",
  "description": "An American expendable launch vehicle and rocket model within the Thor-Delta class.",
  "image": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Delta-M_launching_Intelsat-3_satellite.jpg",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15241312",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_M"
  ],
  "additionalType": "http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q197440"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013