Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17


Space Launch Complex 17, previously designated Launch Complex 17, was a launch site at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida used for Thor and Delta launch vehicles launches between 1958 and 2011.
Originally built in 1956, SLC-17 features two expendable launch vehicle launch pads, SLC-17A and SLC-17B. The pads were operated by the Delta 45|45th Space Wing] and have supported more than 300 Department of Defense, NASA and commercial missile and rocket launches.

History

SLC-17 was built in 1956 by the United States Air Force for use with the PGM-17 Thor missile, the first operational ballistic missile in the arsenal of the United States. It was initially designed for testing suborbital launches of the Thor, in accordance to the IRBM's planned stationing in the United Kingdom as part of Project Emily. Pad 17A supported its first Thor missile launch on 3 August 1957, and Pad 17B supported its first Thor launch on 25 January 1957. As the Thor got wound down from missile use due to the advent of longer-range ICBMs, the site was upgraded in the early 1960s to support a variety of space-oriented launch vehicles derived from the basic Thor booster. Initially starting with the Thor-Able in 1958, these Thor-based rockets came to be called the Delta family of launch vehicles.
Thirty-five early Delta rocket missions were launched from Complex 17 between the beginning of 1960 and the end of 1965. The Air Force transferred Launch Complex 17A to NASA in 1965, but the site was returned to the military in 1988 to support McDonnell Douglas's Delta II program.
As Delta II launches continued over the next decades, Pad 17B was modified in 1997 to support a new, more powerful launch vehicle, the Delta III, which made its maiden flight from the complex on 26 August 1998. The launch ended in failure, as did a second launch the next year. After a third launch on 23 August 2000 placed a mass simulator into a lower than planned orbit, the program was abandoned.
Among the major NASA missions launched from the complex were the Explorer and Pioneer space probes, all of the Orbiting Solar Observatories, the Solar Maximum Mission, biological satellites, the International Cometary Explorer, the TIROS and GOES meteorology satellites, and the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity.
Following the last military launch, in August 2009, SLC-17A was withdrawn from use, and LC-17B was transferred to NASA for two remaining launches. On 10 September 2011, a Delta II 7920H-10C made the final launch from SLC-17B, carrying NASA's GRAIL spacecraft. All remaining Delta II launches were made from SLC-2W at [Vandenberg Space Force Base|Vandenberg Air Force Base] in California until its ultimate retirement in 2018.
At 11:00 UTC on 12 July 2018, both launch towers had been demolished via controlled demolition to make way for Moon Express to build and test its lunar lander.
As of August 2024, the United States Space Force plans to fully demolish SLC-17 and the neighboring LC-18 in favor of extending Lighthouse Road and reconnecting its two separate sections back together.

Launch statistics

SLC-17A

Thor and early Delta

Thor, Thor-Able, and Thor-Ablestar launches operated by the United States Air Force. Thor-Delta launches operated by NASA.

Later Delta I

All launches operated by NASA.
No.DateTime Launch vehicleConfigurationPayloadResultRemarks
6827 August 197501:42Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914Symphonie-2First Delta launch from LC-17A using a numerical designation.
6913 December 197501:56Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3914Satcom-1
7026 March 197622:42Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3914Satcom-2
7110 June 197600:09Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914Marisat-2
728 July 197623:31Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914Palapa-A1
7314 October 197622:44Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914Marisat-3
7410 March 197723:16Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914NATO 3B
7513 September 197723:21Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3914OTS-1Rupture in casing of a solid rocket booster lead to loss of launch vehicle 52 seconds after launch.
7623 November 197701:35Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914Meteosat-1
7726 January 197817:36Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914International Ultraviolet ExplorerPart of the Explorer program, a space telescope designed to conduct ultraviolet astronomy. Collaboration between NASA, ESA, and SERC.
7811 May 197822:59Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3914OTS-2
7914 July 197810:43Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914ESA-GEOS-2
8016 December 197800:21Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3914Anik-B1
8110 August 197900:20Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914Westar-3
827 December 197901:35Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3914Satcom-3
8314 February 198015:57Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3910Solar Maximum MissionHeliophysics satellite designed to investigate solar phenomena such as solar flares. Was later visited by Space Shuttle Challenger during STS-41-C in order to have its altitude control system repaired.
849 September 198022:27Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3914GOES-4Launched as GOES-D. Part of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites system of satellites.
8515 November 198022:49Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3910SBS-1
8622 May 198122:29Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3914GOES-5Launched as GOES-E. Part of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites system of satellites.
8724 September 198123:09Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3910SBS-2
8820 November 198101:37Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3910Satcom 3R
8916 January 198201:54Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3910Satcom 4
9026 February 198200:04Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3910Westar 4
9110 April 198206:47Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3910Insat 1A
929 June 198200:24Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3910Westar 5
9328 April 198322:26Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3914GOES-6Launched as GOES-F. Part of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites system of satellites.
9428 July 198322:49Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3920Telstar-3A
9522 September 198322:16Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3920Galaxy 2
9616 August 198414:30Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3924AMPTE-CCEPart of the Explorer program, aiming to study earth's magnetosphere.
9714 November 198400:34Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3914NATO 3D
983 May 198622:18Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3914GOES-GPart of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites system of satellites. First stage electric failure lead to loss of control and destruction of rocket 90 seconds after launch.
9926 February 198723:05Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3914GOES-7Launched as GOES-H. Part of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites system of satellites. Final Delta I launch from LC-17A.

Delta II

Launches before August 1997 operated by McDonnell Douglas. Launches between then and 2007 operated by Boeing. Launches since 2007 operated by United Launch Alliance.
No.DateTime Launch vehicleConfigurationPayloadResultRemarks
10014 February 198918:30Delta IIThor-Delta 6925USA-35 Part of the Global Positioning System. Maiden flight of the Delta II. First GPS Block II launch. First GPS launch from a Delta rocket and first GPS launch from Cape Canaveral.
10110 June 198922:30Delta IIThor-Delta 6925USA-38 Part of the Global Positioning System.
10218 August 198905:58Delta IIThor-Delta 6925USA-42 Part of the Global Positioning System.
10321 October 198909:31Delta IIThor-Delta 6925USA-47 Part of the Global Positioning System.
10424 January 199022:55Delta IIThor-Delta 6925USA-50 Part of the Global Positioning System.
10526 March 199002:45Delta IIThor-Delta 6925USA-54 Part of the Global Positioning System.
1061 June 199021:48Delta IIThor-Delta 6920-10ROSATSpace telescope designed to conduct x-ray astronomy. Collaboration between NASA and DLR.
1072 August 199005:39Delta IIThor-Delta 6925USA-63 Part of the Global Positioning System.
1081 October 199021:56Delta IIThor-Delta 6925USA-64 Part of the Global Positioning System.
10926 November 199021:39Delta IIThor-Delta 7925USA-66 Part of the Global Positioning System. First Delta II 7000 launch.
1104 July 199102:32Delta IIThor-Delta 7925USA-71 Part of the Global Positioning System.
1117 June 199216:40Delta IIThor-Delta 6920-10Extreme Ultraviolet ExplorerPart of the Explorer program, a space telescope designed at conducting ultraviolet astronomy.
11224 July 199214:26Delta IIThor-Delta 6925GeotailSatellite designed to study Earth's magnetosphere, a collaboration between NASA and ISAS. Final launch of the Delta II 6000.
1139 September 199208:57Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-84 Part of the Global Positioning System.
11422 November 199223:54Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-85 Part of the Global Positioning System.
1153 February 199302:55Delta IIThor-Delta 7925USA-88 Part of the Global Positioning System.
11630 March 199303:09Delta IIThor-Delta 7925USA-90 Part of the Global Positioning System.
11713 May 199300:07Delta IIThor-Delta 7925USA-91 Part of the Global Positioning System.
11826 June 199313:27Delta IIThor-Delta 7925USA-92 Part of the Global Positioning System.
1198 December 199300:48Delta IIThor-Delta 7925NATO 4B
12010 March 199403:40Delta IIThor-Delta 7925USA-100 Part of the Global Positioning System.
12130 December 199513:48Delta IIThor-Delta 7920-10Rossi X-ray Timing ExplorerPart of the Explorer program, designed to conduct x-ray astronomy through tracking timing from sources.
12216 July 199600:50Delta IIThor-Delta 7925USA-126 Part of the Global Positioning System.
12312 September 199608:49Delta IIThor-Delta 7925USA-128 Part of the Global Positioning System.
1247 November 199617:00Delta IIThor-Delta 7925Mars Global SurveyorFirst launch of the Mars Exploration Program, designed to study the titular planet and characteristics like geology and climate from orbit. First Delta II launch to another planet, and first successful American mission to Mars since Viking 2 in 1975.
12517 January 199716:28Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5GPS IIR-1Part of the Global Positioning System. Burnthrough in one of the solid rocket boosters activated range safety protocols 13 seconds after launch, damaging and scattering debris across the pad, nearby cars, and the adjacent Air Force Space and Missile Museum.
12620 May 199722:39Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5Thor II
12723 July 199703:43Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-132 Part of the Global Positioning System. Last Delta II flight operated by McDonnell Douglas prior to their merger with Boeing.
12825 August 199714:39Delta IIThor-Delta 7920-8Advanced Composition ExplorerPart of the Explorer program, designed to study the solar wind and interplanetary medium from a Lissajous orbit.
1296 November 199700:30Delta IIThor-Delta 7925USA-134 Part of the Global Positioning System.
13014 February 199814:34Delta IIThor-Delta 7420-10CGlobalstar-1
13124 April 199822:38Delta IIThor-Delta 7420-10CGlobalstar-2
13210 June 199800:35Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5Thor III
13324 October 199812:08Delta IIThor-Delta 7326Deep Space 1First launch of the New Millennium Program, designed to demonstrate new technologies through exploring 9969 Braille and 19P/Borrelly. First NASA spacecraft to use ion propulsion.
13411 December 199818:45Delta IIThor-Delta 7425Mars Climate OrbiterPart of the Mars Exploration Program, designed to study the titular planet and characteristics such as its climate and atmosphere from orbit. Launch was a success, but a measurement mismatch between NASA's SI units and manufacturer Lockheed Martin's US customary resulted in the spacecraft burning up in the atmosphere during orbit insertion.
1357 February 199921:04Delta IIThor-Delta 7426StardustPart of the Discovery Program, designed to return samples from the coma of comet 81P/Wild. First unmanned sample-return mission from NASA.
13624 June 199915:44Delta IIThor-Delta 7320-10Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic ExplorerPart of the Explorer program, a space telescope designed to conduct ultraviolet astronomy, specifically with detecting deuterium in the early universe.
13725 July 199907:46Delta IIThor-Delta 7420-10CGlobalstar-5
1387 October 199912:51Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-145 Part of the Global Positioning System.
13911 May 200001:48Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-150 Part of the Global Positioning System.
14016 July 200009:17Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-151 Part of the Global Positioning System.
14110 November 200017:14Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-154 Part of the Global Positioning System.
14230 January 200107:55Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-156 Part of the Global Positioning System.
1437 April 200115:02Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.52001 [Mars Odyssey]Part of the Mars Exploration Program, designed to study the titular planet from orbit. Set record for longest operational spacecraft around another celestial body.
1448 August 200116:13Delta IIThor-Delta 7326-9.5GenesisPart of the Discovery Program, designed to return samples of the solar wind. Launch and mission was a success, but drogue parachute failure led to return capsule crashing onto surface, with most samples getting contaminated.
1453 July 200206:47Delta IIThor-Delta 7425CONTOURPart of the Discovery Program, designed to explore comets such as 2P/Encke, 73P/Schwassmann–Wachmann, and 6P/d'Arrest. Launch was a success, but spacecraft contact was lost a month into mission.
14631 March 200322:09Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-168 Part of the Global Positioning System.
14710 June 200315:58Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5Mars Exploration Rover-A SpiritFirst of two launches of the Mars Exploration Rover mission, two rovers designed to explore the titular planet's surface for extended periods of time.
14821 December 200308:05Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-175 Part of the Global Positioning System.
14920 November 200417:16Delta IIThor-Delta 7320-10CNeil Gehrels Swift ObservatoryPart of the Explorer program, a space telescope designed to conduct gamma-ray astronomy and to study gamma-ray bursts.
15026 September 200503:37Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-183 Part of the Global Positioning System.
15121 June 200622:15Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5Microsatellite Technology ExperimentTwo spacecraft and an experimental upper stage, also known as USA-187, USA-188, and USA-189 respectively. Collaboration between the Navy, Air Force, and DARPA.
15225 September 200618:50Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-190 Part of the Global Positioning System.
15317 November 200619:12Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-192 Part of the Global Positioning System. Final Delta II launch conduction by Boeing before transfer to United Launch Alliance.
1544 August 200709:26Delta IIThor-Delta 7925PhoenixPart of the Mars Exploration Program, designed to explore the titular planet and the soil, climate, and potential water in its polar regions.
15517 October 200712:23Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-196 Part of the Global Positioning System.
15620 December 200720:04Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-199 Part of the Global Positioning System.
15715 March 200806:10Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-201 Part of the Global Positioning System.
15824 March 200908:34Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-203 Part of the Global Positioning System.
16017 August 200910:35Delta IIThor-Delta 7925USA-206 Part of the Global Positioning System. Final Delta and Thor launch from SLC-17A. Most recent launch from SLC-17A.

SLC-17B

Thor and early Delta

Thor and Thor-Ablestar launches operated by the United States Air Force. Thor-Delta launches operated by NASA.
No.DateTime Launch vehicleConfigurationPayloadResultRemarks
126 January 1957UnknownPGM-17 ThorThor DM-18Suborbital testMaiden flight of the PGM-17 Thor and of the Delta family. Contaminated liquid oxygen caused a loss of trust, resulting with vehicle falling back onto pad and exploding.
220 April 195704:33PGM-17 ThorThor DM-18Suborbital testErroneous console readout resulted in range safety protocols being mistakenly engaged 35 seconds after launch.
320 September 1957UnknownPGM-17 ThorThor DM-18Suborbital testFirst successful Thor launch and from LC-17.
411 October 195716:33PGM-17 ThorThor DM-18Suborbital testTurbopump failed 152 seconds after launch. Flight considered a partial success.
57 December 195722:11PGM-17 ThorThor DM-18Suborbital test
628 February 195813:08PGM-17 ThorThor DM-18Suborbital testEngines prematurely shut down 109 seconds after launch.
719 April 195813:30PGM-17 ThorThor DM-18Suborbital testSuspected fuel line obstruction led to loss of engine thrust, with vehicle falling back onto pad and exploding.
813 June 195815:06PGM-17 ThorThor DM-18Suborbital test
913 July 195806:36PGM-17 ThorThor DM-18Suborbital testBECO and warhead separation was never received. Flight considered success otherwise.
1026 July 195806:40PGM-17 ThorThor DM-18Suborbital testValve malfunction led to loss of thrust and vehicle breakup 55 seconds after launch.
115 November 195808:53PGM-17 ThorThor DM-18ASuborbital testFlight control failure led to RSO protocols being activated 58 seconds after launch.
1226 November 195809:09PGM-17 ThorThor DM-18ASuborbital testGuidance system power failure led to warhead overshooting target by 22 miles.
1317 December 195804:00PGM-17 ThorThor DM-18ASuborbital test
1430 January 195923:53PGM-17 ThorThor DM-18ASuborbital test
1527 March 195904:02PGM-17 ThorThor DM-18ASuborbital test
1623 April 195905:30PGM-17 ThorThor DM-18ASuborbital test
1712 May 195917:35PGM-17 ThorThor DM-18ASuborbital test
1830 June 195902:37PGM-17 ThorThor DM-18ASuborbital test
1921 July 195907:33PGM-17 ThorThor DM-18ASuborbital testPitch and roll programs failed to initiate, leading to RSO protocols 40 seconds after launch.
206 August 195902:48PGM-17 ThorThor DM-18ASuborbital test
2127 August 195912:30PGM-17 ThorThor DM-18ASuborbital test
2222 September 195918:00PGM-17 ThorThor DM-18ASuborbital test
2314 October 195904:15PGM-17 ThorThor DM-18ASuborbital test
243 November 1959UnknownPGM-17 ThorThor DM-18ASuborbital test
2519 November 1959UnknownPGM-17 ThorThor DM-18ASuborbital test
2617 December 1959UnknownPGM-17 ThorThor DM-18ASuborbital test
2713 April 196012:02Thor-AblestarThor DM-21 / AblestarTransit 1BFirst successful launch of the Transit Satellite System. Maiden flight of the Thor-Ablestar and first orbital launch from LC-17B.
2822 June 196005:54Thor-AblestarThor DM-21 / AblestarTransit 2A and GRAB-1Part of the Transit Satellite System.
2918 August 196019:58Thor-AblestarThor DM-21 / AblestarCourier 1AExperimental communications satellite. Launch suffered premature first stage cutoff, leading to RSO protocols 150 seconds after launch.
304 October 196017:50Thor-AblestarThor DM-21 / AblestarCourier 1BReflight of Courier 1 following 1A's failure. Became first active relay communications satellite.
3130 November 196019:50Thor-AblestarThor DM-21 / AblestarTransit 3A and GRAB-2Part of the Transit Satellite System. Premature first stage cutoff lead to RSO protocols. Debris fell onto post-revolutionary Cuba, helping lead to polar launches being moved to Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
3222 February 196103:45Thor-AblestarThor DM-21 / AblestarTransit 3B and Lofti 1Part of the Transit Satellite System.
3329 June 196104:22Thor-AblestarThor DM-21 / AblestarTransit 4A and GRAB-3Part of the Transit Satellite System.
3415 November 196122:26Thor-AblestarThor DM-21 / AblestarTransit 4B and TRAACPart of the Transit Satellite System.
3524 January 196109:30Thor-AblestarThor DM-21 / AblestarGRAB-4 and other payloadsSecond stage suffered from limited thrust, leading to payloads failing to reach orbit.
3610 May 196112:06Thor-AblestarThor DM-21 / AblestarANNA 1ASecond stage failed to ignite, leading to payload failing to reach orbit.
3710 July 196208:35Thor-DeltaThor DM-19 / DeltaTelstar 1First ever telecommunications satellite, broadcasting television signals across the Atlantic Ocean. First Delta launch from LC-17B, and first commercial launch from Cape Canaveral.
382 October 196222:11Delta AThor DM-21 / Delta-AExplorer 14Part of the Explorer program, aiming to study cosmic rays and other electromagnetic activity.
3927 October 196223:15Delta AThor DM-21 / Delta-AExplorer 15Part of the Explorer program, aiming to study cosmic rays and other electromagnetic activity.
4014 February 196305:35Delta BThor DM-21 / Delta-BSyncom 1Part of the Syncom series of experimental communication satellites. Launch was a success, but payload shortly failed.
417 May 196311:38Delta BThor DM-21 / Delta-BTelstar 2
4219 June 196309:50Delta BThor DM-21 / Delta-BTIROS-7Part of the TIROS series of weather satellites.
4318 September 196309:39Thor DSV-2Thor DSV-2FASSET-1Suborbital flight. Part of the ASSET program, testing uncrewed atmospheric reentry vehicles.
4427 November 196302:30Delta CThor DSV-2A / Delta-D / Altair-2Explorer 18Part of the Explorer program, aiming to study cosmic rays and other electromagnetic activity.
4521 December 196309:30Delta BThor DM-21 / Delta-BTIROS-8Part of the TIROS series of weather satellites.
4621 January 196421:14Delta BThor DM-21 / Delta-BRelay 2
4724 March 196412:15Thor DSV-2Thor DSV-2GASSET-2Suborbital flight. Part of the ASSET program, testing uncrewed atmospheric reentry vehicles. Second stage fired intermittently, leading to RSO protocols.
4822 July 196415:39Thor DSV-2Thor DSV-2GASSET-3Suborbital flight. Part of the ASSET program, testing uncrewed atmospheric reentry vehicles.
4929 October 196403:35Thor DSV-2Thor DSV-2FASSET-4Suborbital flight. Part of the ASSET program, testing uncrewed atmospheric reentry vehicles.
509 December 196402:00Thor DSV-2Thor DSV-2FASSET-5Suborbital flight. Part of the ASSET program, testing uncrewed atmospheric reentry vehicles.
513 February 196516:33Delta CThor DSV-2A / Delta-D / Altair-2OSO-2Part of the Orbiting Solar Observatory series of heliophysics satellites.
5223 February 196514:36Thor DSV-2Thor DSV-2GASSET-6Suborbital flight. Part of the ASSET program, testing uncrewed atmospheric reentry vehicles.
5329 May 196512:00Delta CThor DSV-2A / Delta-D / Altair-2Explorer 28Part of the Explorer program, aiming to study cosmic rays and other electromagnetic activity.
542 July 196504:04Delta CThor DSV-2A / Delta-D / Altair-2TIROS-10Part of the TIROS series of weather satellites.
5525 August 196515:17Delta CThor DSV-2A / Delta-D / Altair-2OSO-CPart of the Orbiting Solar Observatory series of heliophysics satellites. Third stage ignited while still attached to second stage, leading to loss of vehicle.
5628 February 196613:58Delta EThor DSV-2C / Delta-E / Altair-2ESSA-2Part of the TOS series of weather satellites for the ESSA.
5725 May 196614:00Delta C1Thor DSV-2A / Delta-D / FW-4DExplorer 32Part of the Explorer program, aiming to study earth's upper atmosphere.
5826 October 196623:05Delta E1Thor DSV-2C / Delta-E / FW-4DIntelsat 2-1
5911 January 196710:55Delta E1Thor DSV-2C / Delta-E / FW-4DIntelsat 2-2
6023 March 196701:30Delta E1Thor DSV-2C / Delta-E / FW-4DIntelsat 2-3
6119 July 196714:19Delta E1Thor DSV-2C / Delta-E / FW-4DExplorer 35Part of the Explorer program, aiming to study cosmic rays and other electromagnetic activity.
627 September 196722:04Delta GThor DSV-2C / Delta-EBiosatellite 2Second of three launches of the Biosatellite program, studying how various lifeforms operate in space.
6328 September 196700:45Delta E1Thor DSV-2C / Delta-E / FW-4DIntelsat 2-4
6418 October 196716:04Delta CThor DSV-2A / Delta-D / Altair-2OSO-4Part of the Orbiting Solar Observatory series of heliophysics satellites.
6513 December 196714:08Delta E1Thor DSV-2C / Delta-E / FW-4DPioneer 8Part of the Pioneer program, aiming to study interplanetary space from great distance to Earth. Launched as Pioneer C. Third of five heliocentric orbit-centered Pioneer satellites.
668 November 196809:46Delta E1Thor DSV-2C / Delta-E / FW-4DPioneer 9Part of the Pioneer program, aiming to study interplanetary space from great distance to Earth. Launched as Pioneer D. Fourth of five heliocentric orbit-centered Pioneer satellites.
675 December 196818:55Delta E1Thor DSV-2C / Delta-E / FW-4DHEOS 1First launch for the ESRO from LC-17.
6822 January 196916:48Delta C1Thor DSV-2A / Delta-D / FW-4DOSO-5Part of the Orbiting Solar Observatory series of heliophysics satellites.
6926 February 196907:47Delta E1Thor DSV-2C / Delta-E / FW-4DESSA-9Part of the TOS series of weather satellites for the ESSA.

Later Delta I

All launches operated by NASA.
No.DateTime Launch vehicleConfigurationPayloadResultRemarks
7023 September 197213:20Delta 1000Thor-Delta 1604Explorer 47Part of the Explorer program, aiming to study cosmic rays and other electromagnetic activity. First Delta launch from LC-17 using a numerical designation.
7110 November 197201:14Delta 1000Thor-Delta 1914Anik-A1
7220 April 197323:47Delta 1000Thor-Delta 1914Anik-A2
7310 June 197314:13Delta 1000Thor-Delta 1913Explorer 49Part of the Explorer program, aiming to conduct radio astronomy. First Delta launch going to another celestial body, as payload traveled to lunar orbit to minimize radio interference from Earth.
7426 October 197302:26Delta 1000Thor-Delta 1604Explorer 50Part of the Explorer program, aiming to study cosmic rays and other electromagnetic activity.
7519 January 197401:38Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2313Skynet-2ALoose piece of insulation damaged onboard electronics during launch, leading to loss of control.
7613 April 197421:33Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914Westar-1
7717 May 197410:31Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914SMS-1Experimental weather satellite designed to demonstrate feasibility at geosynchronous orbit.
7810 October 197422:53Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914Westar-2
7923 November 197400:28Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2313Skynet-2B
8019 December 197402:39Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914Symphonie-1
816 February 197522:02Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914SMS-2Experimental weather satellite designed to demonstrate feasibility at geosynchronous orbit.
827 May 197523:35Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914Anik-A3
8321 June 197511:43Delta 1000Thor-Delta 1910OSO-8Part of the Orbiting Solar Observatory series of heliophysics satellites.
8416 October 197522:40Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914GOES-1Launched as GOES-A. First launch of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites system of satellites.
8520 November 197502:06Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2910Explorer 55Part of the Explorer program, aiming to study earth's upper atmosphere and ionosphere.
8617 January 197623:28Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914CTS 1 Hermes
8722 April 197620:46Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914NATO 3A
8820 April 197710:15Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914ESA-GEOS-1Third stage separated prematurely, leading to failure of spin stabilization.
8916 June 197710:51Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914GOES-2Launched as GOES-B. Part of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites system of satellites.
9014 July 197714:56Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914GMS-1
9122 October 197713:53Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914ISEE-1 and ISEE-2Part of the Explorer program, aiming to study the interplanetary magnetic field. First two of three satellites of the International Sun-Earth Explorer program between NASA and ESA.
9215 December 197700:47Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914CS-1
937 April 197822:01Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914BSE-1
9416 June 197810:49Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914GOES-3Launched as GOES-C. Part of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites system of satellites.
9512 August 197815:12Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914International Cometary ExplorerLaunched as ICEE-3. Part of the Explorer program, aiming to study the interplanetary magnetic field before studying comets like 1P/Halley and 21P/Giacobini–Zinner. First ever satellite to visit a Lagrange point. Third of three satellites of the International Sun-Earth Explorer program between NASA and ESA.
9619 November 197800:46Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914NATO 3C
9730 January 197921:42Delta 2000Thor-Delta 2914SCATHA (P78-2)
9826 August 198223:10Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3920Anik D1
9928 October 198201:27Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3924Satcom 5
10011 April 198322:39Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3924Satcom 6
10128 June 198323:08Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3920Galaxy 1
1028 September 198322:52Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3920Satcom 7
10321 September 198422:18Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3920Galaxy-3
1045 September 198615:08Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3920USA-19 Experimental in-orbit ASAT satellite for the SDI.
10520 March 198722:22Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3920Palapa B2P
1068 February 198822:07Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3910USA-30 Experimental in-orbit ASAT satellite for the SDI.
10724 March 198921:50Delta 3000Thor-Delta 3920-8USA-36 Experimental in-orbit ASAT satellite for the SDI.

Delta 4000, II, and III

Delta 4000 launches operated by NASA. Delta II launches before August 1997 operated by McDonnell Douglas. Launches between then and 2007 operated by Boeing. Launches since 2007 operated by United Launch Alliance.
No.DateTime Launch vehicleConfigurationPayloadResultRemarks
10827 August 198922:59Delta 4000Thor-Delta 4925-8BSB-R1
10911 December 198918:10Delta IIThor-Delta 6925USA-49 Part of the Global Positioning System. First Delta II launch from LC-17B.
11014 February 199016:15Delta IIThor-Delta 6920-8USA-51 and USA-52
11113 April 199022:28Delta IIThor-Delta 6925-8Palapa B2R
11212 June 199005:52Delta 4000Thor-Delta 4925-8INSAT 1DFinal flight of the Delta I.
11318 August 199000:42Delta IIThor-Delta 6925Thor 1
11430 October 199023:16Delta IIThor-Delta 6925Inmarsat-2 F1
1158 January 199100:53Delta IIThor-Delta 7925NATO 4A
1168 March 199123:03Delta IIThor-Delta 6925Inmarsat-2 F2
11713 April 199100:09Delta IIThor-Delta 7925ASC-2
11829 May 199122:55Delta IIThor-Delta 7925Aurora 2
11923 February 199222:29Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-79 Part of the Global Positioning System.
12010 April 199203:20Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-80 Part of the Global Positioning System.
12114 May 199200:40Delta IIThor-Delta 7925Palapa B4
1227 July 199209:20Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-83 Part of the Global Positioning System.
12331 August 199210:41Delta IIThor-Delta 7925Satcom C4
12412 October 199209:47Delta IIThor-Delta 7925DFS Kopernikus-3
12518 December 199222:16Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-87 Part of the Global Positioning System.
12630 August 199312:38Delta IIThor-Delta 7925USA-94 Part of the Global Positioning System.
12726 October 199317:04Delta IIThor-Delta 7925USA-96 Part of the Global Positioning System.
12819 February 199423:45Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-8Galaxy 1R
1291 November 199409:31Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-10WindPart of the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics Science Initiative, a heliophysics spacecraft designed to study the solar wind from the L1 Lagrange point. First Delta II launch into a heliocentric orbit.
1305 August 199511:10Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5Koreasat 1One solid rocket booster failed to separate, slowing vehicle and limiting orbital velocity. Spacecraft eventually entered correct orbit at the expense of a substantially reduced operational life.
13114 January 199611:10Delta IIThor-Delta 7925Koreasat-2
13217 February 199620:43Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-8NEAR ShoemakerFirst mission in the Discovery Program, aimed at exploring 433 Eros. First spacecraft to enter orbit of and land on an asteroid. First Delta II launch to another celestial body.
13328 March 199600:21Delta IIThor-Delta 7925USA-117 Part of the Global Positioning System.
13424 May 199601:10Delta IIThor-Delta 7925Galaxy 9
1354 December 199606:58Delta IIThor-Delta 7925Mars PathfinderPart of the Discovery Program, aimed at exploring Mars and developing a spacecraft under administrator Daniel Goldin's "faster, better, cheaper" approach. First Mars landing mission since Viking 2 in 1975. Flew with Sojourner, the first operational Mars rover.
13610 January 199800:32Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5Skynet 4D
13727 August 199801:17Delta IIIThor-Delta 8930Galaxy 10Maiden flight of the Delta III. Control problems and depletion of hydraulic fluid being used led to range safety protocols being activated during ascent.
13822 November 199823:54Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5BONUM-1
1393 January 199920:21Delta IIThor-Delta 7425Mars Polar LanderPart of the Mars Exploration Program, designed to explore the titular planet and the soil and climate of its polar regions. Launch was a success, but lander crashed on the surface during entry, descent and landing.
1405 May 199901:00Delta IIIThor-Delta 8930Orion 3Delta III second stage suffered engine failure, stranding payload in low Earth orbit.
14110 June 199913:48Delta IIThor-Delta 7420-10CGlobalstar-3
14210 July 199908:45Delta IIThor-Delta 7420-10CGlobalstar-4
14317 August 199904:37Delta IIThor-Delta 7420-10CGlobalstar-6
1448 February 200021:24Delta IIThor-Delta 7420-10CGlobalstar-7
14523 August 200011:05Delta IIIThor-Delta 8930DM-F3Demonstration satellite. Payload was placed in lower than expected orbit. Final flight of the Delta III.
14618 May 200117:45Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5NROL-17NRO launch. Technology demonstration satellite, also known as GeoLITE or USA-158. Was used as a test bed for laser and UHF communication.
14730 June 200119:46Delta IIThor-Delta 7425-10Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy ProbePart of the Explorer program, a space telescope designed to create a survey of the cosmic microwave background radiation. First space telescope to be placed into a heliocentric orbit.
14829 January 200318:06Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-166 Part of the Global Positioning System.
1498 July 200303:18Delta IIThor-Delta 7925H-9.5Mars Exploration Rover-B OpportunitySecond of two launches of the Mars Exploration Rover mission, two rovers designed to explore the titular planet's surface for extended periods of time. Maiden flight of the Delta II Heavy.
15025 August 200305:35Delta IIThor-Delta 7920H-9.5Spitzer Space TelescopePart of the Great Observatories program, a space telescope designed to conduct infrared astronomy.
15120 March 200417:53Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-177 Part of the Global Positioning System.
15223 June 200422:54Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-178 Part of the Global Positioning System.
1533 August 200406:15Delta IIThor-Delta 7925H-9.5MESSENGERPart of the Discovery Program, aimed at exploring Mercury such as mapping areas not covered by Mariner 10. First spacecraft to enter orbit of Mercury.
1546 November 200405:39Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5USA-180 Part of the Global Positioning System.
15512 January 200518:47Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-9.5Deep ImpactPart of the Discovery Program, aimed at studying the interior of comets via impacting one. First impactor of a celestial body besides the Moon, done with 9P/Tempel.
15626 October 200600:52Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-10LSTEREOPart of the Solar Terrestrial Probes program, two spacecraft designed to observed the Sun and phenomena such as coronal mass ejections.
15717 February 200723:01Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-10CTHEMISPart of the Explorer program, five spacecraft designed to study Earth's magnetic field.
15827 September 200711:34Delta IIThor-Delta 7925H-9.5DawnPart of the Discovery Program, designed to explore large asteroid belt objects like Ceres and Vesta. First spacecraft to enter orbit of two separate celestial objects, and first spacecraft to visit and enter orbit of a dwarf planet.
15911 June 200816:05Delta IIThor-Delta 7920H-10CFermi Gamma-ray Space TelescopeSpace telescope designed to conduct gamma-ray astronomy. Collaboration between NASA, the DoE, and several international agencies.
1607 March 200903:49Delta IIThor-Delta 7925-10LKepler Space TelescopePart of the Discovery Program, a space telescope designed to survey a small area of the sky to detect exoplanets through the transit method. Final Delta II flight to go into heliocentric orbit.
16125 September 200912:20Delta IIThor-Delta 7920-10CUSA-208 and USA-209 Final military launch from a Delta II.
16210 September 201113:08Delta IIThor-Delta 7920H-10CGRAILPart of the Discovery Program, two spacecraft designed to create a gravity map and study the composition of the Moon. Final flight of the Delta II Heavy and last Delta II launch beyond low Earth orbit. Final launch of a Thor-based rocket from Cape Canaveral. Most recent launch from SLC-17.