# PAM-D rocket body

> defunct American kick stage which orbited the USA-203 GPS satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q111496883](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111496883)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pam-d-rocket-body

## Summary
The PAM-D rocket body is a defunct American kick stage that deployed the USA-203 GPS satellite in 2009. Launched aboard a Delta II rocket, it later became space debris and disintegrated in 2015. It was part of the PAM-D class of booster stages used with Delta rockets and the Space Shuttle.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: March 24, 2009
- **COSPAR ID**: 2009-014B
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 34662
- **Launch Vehicle**: Delta II (D-340)
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Decay Date**: September 28, 2015 (atmospheric entry)
- **Classifications**: Kick motor, space debris, PAM-D stage

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary mission of the PAM-D rocket body?
A: It served as the kick stage for deploying the USA-203 GPS satellite into orbit.

### Q: When did the PAM-D rocket body re-enter Earth's atmosphere?
A: It decayed and entered the atmosphere on September 28, 2015.

### Q: What launch vehicle carried the PAM-D rocket body?
A: It was launched aboard a Delta II rocket (D-340 configuration) from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A.

## Why It Matters
The PAM-D rocket body played a critical role in the deployment of the USA-203 GPS satellite, contributing to global navigation infrastructure. As a component of the Delta II launch system, it represents a key technology in late 20th- and early 21st-century space operations. Its transition to space debris highlights the importance of tracking defunct orbital objects to mitigate collision risks. The PAM-D stage itself was a versatile booster used across multiple launch systems, including the Space Shuttle, underscoring its significance in satellite deployment strategies.

## Notable For
- **Specific Launch Mission**: Deployed the USA-203 GPS satellite (2009).
- **Decay Timeline**: Orbited for over 6 years before atmospheric re-entry (2015).
- **Launcher Affiliation**: Part of the Delta II rocket family (D-340 variant).
- **Dual Classification**: Simultaneously categorized as a kick motor and space debris.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date**: March 24, 2009
- **Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A
- **Vehicle**: Delta II (D-340 configuration)

### Mission Overview
The PAM-D rocket body was tasked with delivering the USA-203 GPS satellite to its operational orbit. As a kick stage, it provided the final thrust needed to position the satellite accurately. This mission was part of the U.S. Air Force's GPS modernization effort.

### Decay and Re-Entry
After completing its mission, the rocket body remained in orbit until September 28, 2015, when it decayed and re-entered Earth's atmosphere. Its orbital lifespan exceeded six years, during which it was tracked as space debris (COSPAR ID 2009-014B, SCN 34662).

### Classification and Heritage
- **Class**: PAM-D kick motor, a type of booster stage used with Delta rockets and the Space Shuttle.
- **Legacy**: Part of the retired Delta II launch system, which was pivotal for NASA and U.S. military satellite deployments from 1989 to 2018.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.n2yo.com/satellite/?s=34662)
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_stage/pam-d.htm)