Delta G no. 43

3 stage vehicle consisting of 3 x Castor + 1 x Thor DSV-2C + 1 x Delta E

Manufacturer: Douglas. Launches: 2. Success Rate: 100.00%. First Launch Date: 1966-12-14. Last Launch Date: 1967-09-07. Launch data is: complete. Apogee: 400 km (240 mi). Associated Spacecraft: Biosatellite. Liftoff Thrust: 765.100 kN (172,001 lbf). Total Mass: 55,451 kg (122,248 lb). Core Diameter: 2.44 m (8.00 ft). Total Length: 30.00 m (98.00 ft). Flyaway Unit Cost $: 10.150 million. in: 1985 unit dollars.

• Stage Number: 0. 3 x Stage: Castor 1. Gross Mass: 3,852 kg (8,492 lb). Empty Mass: 535 kg (1,179 lb). Thrust (vac): 286.001 kN (64,296 lbf). Isp: 247 sec. Burn time: 27 sec. Isp(sl): 232 sec. Diameter: 0.79 m (2.59 ft). Span: 0.79 m (2.59 ft). Length: 5.92 m (19.42 ft). Propellants: Solid. No Engines: 1. Engine: M33-20-4.

• Stage Number: 1. 1 x Stage: Delta Thor TA. Gross Mass: 49,442 kg (109,000 lb). Empty Mass: 3,175 kg (6,999 lb). Thrust (vac): 866.710 kN (194,844 lbf). Isp: 290 sec. Burn time: 150 sec. Isp(sl): 256 sec. Diameter: 2.44 m (8.00 ft). Span: 2.44 m (8.00 ft). Length: 18.41 m (60.40 ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 1. Engine: MB-3-3. Other designations: Thrust Augmented Thor.

• Stage Number: 2. 1 x Stage: Delta E. Gross Mass: 6,009 kg (13,247 lb). Empty Mass: 785 kg (1,730 lb). Thrust (vac): 35.098 kN (7,890 lbf). Isp: 278 sec. Burn time: 400 sec. Isp(sl): 0 sec. Diameter: 1.40 m (4.50 ft). Span: 1.40 m (4.50 ft). Length: 6.28 m (20.60 ft). Propellants: Nitric acid/UDMH. No Engines: 1. Engine: AJ10-118E.

1966 December 14 - 19:20 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17. Launch Pad: LC17A. Launch Vehicle: Delta G. Model: Thor Delta G. LV Configuration: Thor Delta G 471/D43.

• Biosatellite 1 Nation: USA. Payload: Biosat 1. Mass: 425 kg (936 lb). Class: Biology. Spacecraft: Biosatellite. Agency: NASA ARC. Perigee: 295 km (183 mi). Apogee: 309 km (192 mi). Inclination: 33.50 deg. Period: 90.40 min. COSPAR: 1966-114C. USAF Sat Cat: 2631. Decay Date: 1967-02-15. Reentry into the Earth's atmosphere was not achieved because the retrorocket failed to ignite. The biosatellite was never recovered. Although the scientific objectives of the mission were not accomplished, the Biosatellite I experience provided technical confidence in the program because of excellent performance in most other areas.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 297.

• Biosatellite 2 Nation: USA. Payload: Biosat 2. Mass: 507 kg (1,117 lb). Class: Biology. Spacecraft: Biosatellite. Agency: NASA ARC. Perigee: 297 km (184 mi). Apogee: 318 km (197 mi). Inclination: 33.50 deg. Period: 90.70 min. COSPAR: 1967-083A. USAF Sat Cat: 2935. Decay Date: 1967-09-15. Biological capsule recovered. The scientific payload, consisting of 13 select biology and radiation experiments, was exposed to microgravity during 45 hours of Earth-orbital flight. Experimental biology packages on the spacecraft contained a variety of specimens, including insects, frog eggs, microorganisms and plants. The planned three-day mission was recalled early because of the threat of a tropical storm in the recovery area, and because of a communication problem between the spacecraft and the tracking systems. The primary objective of the Biosatellite II mission was to determine if organisms were more, or less, sensitive to ionizing radiation in microgravity than on Earth. To study this question, an artificial source of radiation was supplied to a group of experiments mounted in the forward part of the spacecraft.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 297.

• McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.

• Gatland, Kenneth, Missiles and Rockets, Macmillan, New York, 1975. ISBN: 0713735058. Covers rocketry of all nations. More at amazon.com...

• Wilson, Andrew, Spaceflight, "Delta Digest", 1979, Volume 10, page 413.