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Delta 0900 Launch Vehicle

Delta 0900 was a two-stage numbered Delta configuration with a long-tank Thor-derived liquid first stage augmented by nine Castor II solid motors—six ignited at liftoff and three in flight—a higher-energy restartable Delta second stage, and Delta Inertial Guidance System. Both vehicles flew successfully from Vandenberg in 1972, launching ERTS 1 and Nimbus 5 into near-polar orbits.

Delta 0900 Launch Vehicle
NASA / Tony Gray · NASA/KSC asset; NASA’s KSC-07PD-2590 catalog identifies the exact Delta II/Dawn launch and credits the photograph to NASA / Tony Gray. NASA’s current Images and Media Usage Guidelines generally permit factual or informational/editorial use with NASA attribution and without implying NASA endorsement. NASA insignia, launch-provider or other third-party marks, identifiable-person rights, and any commercial, promotional, merchandise, or protected-rights use remain separately restricted or clearance-sensitive; verify before such use. · Source
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Identity

Aliases
Delta 900Delta Model 0900Model 0900
Family Name
Delta 0900
Full Name
Delta 0900 Launch Vehicle
Status
retired
Type
rocket
Variant Name
0900

Details

Description
Delta 0900 was a two-stage numbered Delta configuration with a long-tank Thor-derived liquid first stage augmented by nine Castor II solid motors—six ignited at liftoff and three in flight—a higher-energy restartable Delta second stage, and Delta Inertial Guidance System. Both vehicles flew successfully from Vandenberg in 1972, launching ERTS 1 and Nimbus 5 into near-polar orbits.
First Flight Year
1,972
Last Flight Year
1,972
Manufacturer
Operator
Parent Vehicle Family
Rocket Specs
Reusability
expendable
Stages Count
2

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Assets & Meta

Creation Time
July 18, 2026 at 06:21:41 UTC
Updated Time
July 19, 2026 at 10:45:14 UTC

Other

Search Name
Delta 0900 Launch Vehicle Delta 900 Delta Model 0900 Model 0900