List of Thor and Delta launches (2020–2024) explained

See main article: article and List of Thor and Delta launches.

The final half-decade of launches in the Thor/Delta family consisted of one Delta IV Heavy each year from 2020 through 2024. This followed the retirement of Delta II in 2018 and single-stick (non-Heavy) variants of the Delta IV in 2019. With the start of 2024, Vulcan Centaur took its first flight in time to maintain continuity of ULA's service in the heavy-lift launch vehicle market before the Delta IV Heavy program came to an end three months later on April 9, 2024.

Launch statistics

Launch outcomes

Launch history

2020
Flight No.	Date / time (UTC)	Rocket, Configuration	Launch site	Payload	Payload mass	Orbit	Customer	Launch outcome
385	11 December 2020 01:09	Delta IV Heavy	CCSFS, SLC-37B	USA-311 (NROL-44)	Classified	GSO	US NRO	^[1]
Reconnaissance satellite, likely an Orion satellite.^[2] Launch attempts on 29 August and 30 September were aborted due to problems with the Ground Service Equipment (GSE).^[3] ^[4] The rocket finally lifted off on 11 December.
2021
Flight No.	Date / time (UTC)	Rocket, Configuration	Launch site	Payload	Payload mass	Orbit	Customer	Launch outcome
386	26 April 2021 20:47	Delta IV Heavy	VAFB, SLC-6	USA-314 (NROL-82)	Classified	LEO	US NRO	^[5]
Reconnaissance satellite, likely a KH-11 Kennen satellite.
2022
Flight No.	Date / time (UTC)	Rocket, Configuration	Launch site	Payload	Payload mass	Orbit	Customer	Launch outcome
387	24 September 2022 22:25:30	Delta IV Heavy	VAFB, SLC-6	NROL-91	Classified	LEO	US NRO	^[6]
Reconnaissance satellite, likely a KH-11 Kennen satellite. Final Delta flight from Vandenberg.
2023
Flight No.	Date / time (UTC)	Rocket, Configuration	Launch site	Payload	Payload mass	Orbit	Customer	Launch outcome
388	22 June 2023 09:18	Delta IV Heavy	CCSFS, SLC-37B	NROL-68	Classified	GEO	US NRO	^[7]
Reconnaissance satellite, likely an Orion satellite.
2024
Flight No.	Date / time (UTC)	Rocket, Configuration	Launch site	Payload	Payload mass	Orbit	Customer	Launch outcome
389	9 April 2024 16:53^[8]	Delta IV Heavy	CCSFS, SLC-37B	NROL-70	Classified	GEO	US NRO
Reconnaissance satellite, likely an Orion satellite. Final flight of the Delta rocket family.

See also

• List of Atlas launches (2020–2029)
• List of Vulcan launches
• List of USA satellites
• List of NRO launches

Notes and References

1. Web site: United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches NROL-44 Mission to Support National Security . ULA Launch . 11 December 2020.
2. Web site: NROL launches.
3. Bruno . Tory . Tory Bruno . torybruno . 1299623698090135552 . 29 August 2020 . The bird is in good shape. This was an automatic abort during the ignition sequence. Cause appears to have been in the ground system. System functioned as intended to protect the vehicle and payload. . en . 4 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210614034853/https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1299623698090135552 . 14 June 2021 . live.
4. Bruno . Tory . Tory Bruno . torybruno . 1311533156965715968 . 1 October 2020 . We experienced an automated abort because a sensor reported a fault. Automated Safety System operated as intended. Bird and payload are safe and unharmed. Engine ROFI ignitors were not fired. Turbo pumps were not spun up. Mission safety first... . en . 4 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201001061958/https://twitter.com/torybruno/status/1311533156965715968 . 1 October 2020 . live.
5. Web site: United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches NROL-82 Mission to Support National Security . ULA Launch . 26 April 2021.
6. Web site: Graham . William . Last West Coast Delta IV Heavy launches with NROL-91 . 24 September 2022 . 25 September 2022 . NASASpaceFlight.
7. Web site: Graham . William . ULA's penultimate Delta IV Heavy launches NROL-68 mission . 22 June 2023 . 22 June 2023 . NASASpaceFlight.
8. Web site: Delta IV Heavy - NROL-70 . 9 February 2024 . 4 April 2024 . Next Spaceflight.