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Thor-Delta N Launch Vehicle

Thor-Delta N was the two-stage counterpart to Delta M, using a long-tank Thor first stage, three strap-on solid motors, and an AJ10-powered Delta second stage without a solid third stage. Six vehicles flew from August 1968 through March 1972. All reached orbit, although Delta 85 lost second-stage steering during restart and placed OSO 7 into a lower-than-planned but usable orbit.

Thor-Delta N Launch Vehicle
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center · NASA asset; NASA’s 9141922 catalog identifies Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and describes the exact Thor/Able 3 launch carrying Explorer VI, with no third-party photographer or copyright holder listed. NASA’s current Images and Media Usage Guidelines generally permit factual or informational/editorial use with NASA attribution and without implying NASA endorsement. Commercial, promotional, merchandise, logo/insignia, or other protected-rights uses may require separate clearance; verify any third-party rights if later identified. · Source
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Identity

Aliases
Delta NThor Delta NLong-Tank Thrust-Augmented Delta NDSV-3N
Family Name
Thor-Delta N
Full Name
Thor-Delta N Launch Vehicle
Status
retired
Type
rocket
Variant Name
N

Details

Description
Thor-Delta N was the two-stage counterpart to Delta M, using a long-tank Thor first stage, three strap-on solid motors, and an AJ10-powered Delta second stage without a solid third stage. Six vehicles flew from August 1968 through March 1972. All reached orbit, although Delta 85 lost second-stage steering during restart and placed OSO 7 into a lower-than-planned but usable orbit.
First Flight Year
1,968
Last Flight Year
1,972
Manufacturer
Operator
Parent Vehicle Family
Rocket Specs
Reusability
expendable
Stages Count
2

Links

Assets & Meta

Creation Time
July 18, 2026 at 06:09:03 UTC
Updated Time
July 19, 2026 at 10:03:52 UTC

Other

Search Name
Thor-Delta N Launch Vehicle Delta N Thor Delta N Long-Tank Thrust-Augmented Delta N DSV-3N