# TD-1A

> European astrophysical research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q2383826](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2383826)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TD-1A)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/td-1a

## Summary
TD-1A is a European astrophysical research satellite and space telescope launched in 1972 to observe distant space objects. It served as a dedicated scientific platform for astrophysical study, operating from outer space to gather data beyond the Earth's atmosphere.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Space telescope and European astrophysical research satellite.
- **Launch Date:** March 12, 1972.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Delta N (an American expendable launch vehicle).
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1972-014A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 05879.
- **NSSDCA ID:** 1972-014A.
- **Alternative Names:** Thor-Delta 1A, TD-1A Satellite Mission, and TD-1A衛星.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary mission of TD-1A?
A: TD-1A was designed as an astrophysical research satellite. It functioned as a space telescope, providing a platform in outer space to observe and study distant celestial objects.

### Q: When and where was TD-1A launched?
A: The satellite was launched on March 12, 1972. The launch took place at the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 in the United States.

### Q: Which rocket was used to put TD-1A into orbit?
A: TD-1A was launched using a Delta N rocket. The Delta N is a specific class of American expendable launch vehicles used for space missions during that era.

## Why It Matters
TD-1A represents a significant milestone in the history of European space exploration and astrophysical research. As a dedicated space telescope, it allowed scientists to conduct observations from outer space, bypassing the atmospheric interference that limits ground-based instruments. This mission highlights the early technical capabilities of European astrophysical research and the importance of international cooperation in space, as evidenced by the use of an American Delta N expendable launch vehicle to deploy the satellite.

The mission's significance is further reflected in its inclusion in major international space catalogs, such as the NSSDCA and COSPAR. By providing a platform for observing distant space objects, TD-1A contributed to the broader field of astrophysics during a formative period of satellite-based science. Its successful deployment from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 demonstrated the logistical and technical coordination required for complex orbital missions in the early 1970s. For historians and researchers, TD-1A serves as a primary example of early astrophysical satellite architecture and the evolution of space-based observation tools.

## Notable For
- **Astrophysical Research:** Serving as a dedicated European platform for the study of distant space objects.
- **Space-Based Observation:** Operating as a space telescope to provide data from outside the Earth's atmosphere.
- **International Launch Collaboration:** Utilizing the American Delta N expendable launch vehicle for its 1972 mission.
- **Historical Identifiers:** Recognized globally under the COSPAR ID 1972-014A and Satellite Catalog Number 05879.

## Body

### Mission and Classification
TD-1A, also referred to as the TD-1A Satellite Mission or Thor-Delta 1A, is classified as a space telescope. This classification defines it as an instrument located in outer space specifically designed for the observation of distant space objects. It is formally categorized as a European astrophysical research satellite.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was successfully launched on March 12, 1972. The significant event of the rocket launch occurred at the Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2. The mission utilized the Delta N launch vehicle, which is a class of American expendable launch vehicles. 

### Technical Specifications and Tracking
TD-1A is documented across several international scientific databases:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1972-014A
*   **NSSDCA ID:** 1972-014A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 05879
*   **Freebase ID:** /m/080d7dv

### International Presence
The satellite's mission and data are recognized internationally, with documentation available in multiple languages including English, German, French, Russian, and Japanese. It is also cataloged within the Wikimedia Commons under the category "TD-1A."

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report