Delta A

Thor-Delta A DSV-3A

Mission Profile

The Delta A (Thor-Delta A, DSV-3A) was a three-stage American launch vehicle combining the Thor IRBM with an improved upper stage, representing an early evolution of the Thor-Delta family aimed at enhanced small scientific satellite delivery performance. Standing 28 m tall with a 2.4 m diameter and a liftoff mass of 54 tonnes, it generated 667 kN of first-stage thrust and could deliver 270 kg to low Earth orbit. First flying in October 1962, the Delta A was used for NASA scientific satellite missions during the early human spaceflight era, launching applications and astronomy payloads before being superseded by more capable Delta variants.