Delta 5000

Delta 5000 series

Launch of the Delta 5920 with COBE
Function
Project cost
Cost per launch
Cost per year
Size
Stages
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Altitude
	3,848 kg (8,483 lb)
Volume
Payload to GTO
Altitude
	1,405 kg (3,097 lb)
Volume
Associated rockets
Family
Comparable	Delta 4000, Delta II
Launch history
Status
Launch sites
Total launches
Success(es)
FailureTemplate:Pluralize from text
Partial failureTemplate:Pluralize from text
Notable outcomeTemplate:Pluralize from text
Landings
First flight
Last flight
Boosters – Castor 4A
No. boosters	9
Empty mass
Gross mass
Propellant mass
Specific impulse
Burn time
Propellant
First stage – Thor/Delta ELT
Empty mass
Gross mass
Propellant mass
Specific impulse
Burn time
Propellant
Second stage – Delta K
Empty mass
Gross mass
Propellant mass
Specific impulse
Burn time
Propellant
Template:Edit on Wikidata

The Delta 5000 series was an American expendable launch system which was used to conduct an orbital launch in 1989. It was a member of the Delta family of rockets. Although several variants were put forward, only the Delta 5920 was launched. The designation used a four digit numerical code to store information on the configuration of the rocket. It was built from a combination of spare parts left over from earlier Delta rockets, which were being retired, and parts from the Delta II 6000-series, which was just entering service.

The first stage was the RS-27 powered Extended Long Tank Thor, flown on several earlier Delta rockets. Nine Castor-4A solid rocket boosters were attached to increase thrust at lift-off, replacing the less powerful Castor-4 boosters used on the 3000 series. The Delta-K was used as a second stage. In the configuration that was launched, no third stage was flown.

The Delta 5000 was launched just once, from Space Launch Complex 2W at the Vandenberg Air Force Base. Launch occurred at 14:34 on 18 November 1989. It was successful, and placed the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) spacecraft into low Earth orbit.