description Delta II Overview
The Delta II was an expendable medium-lift launch vehicle originally manufactured by McDonnell Douglas and later operated by Boeing and United Launch Alliance. Flying from 1989 until its final mission in 2018, the rocket achieved a highly reliable track record with over 150 successful launches. It was a primary launch vehicle for the United States government and commercial entities. The Delta II deployed numerous critical payloads, including the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite constellation and various NASA planetary exploration missions such as Mars Pathfinder.
insights Ranking position
Delta II ranks #10 of 155 in the Delta ranking, behind Tigris-Euphrates Delta, ahead of Lena Delta.
help Delta II FAQ
What notable space missions did the Delta II rocket launch?
The Delta II launched some of NASA's most celebrated planetary and science missions, including the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity in 2003, the Dawn spacecraft to Vesta and Ceres in 2007, and the Kepler space telescope in 2009. It also carried dozens of GPS satellites into orbit for the U.S. Air Force over its nearly three-decade career.
When was the final Delta II launch?
The final Delta II launch occurred on September 15, 2018, carrying NASA's ICESat-2 satellite into orbit from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. This marked the end of a program that had flown over 150 successful missions since its inaugural launch in 1989.
How reliable was the Delta II compared to other rockets?
The Delta II was widely regarded as one of the most reliable orbital launch vehicles ever built, achieving a success rate of roughly 98–99% across more than 150 launches. Its consistency made it a preferred choice for high-value NASA science missions where failure was not an acceptable outcome, earning it a reputation as the workhorse of American medium-lift spaceflight.
Who originally manufactured the Delta II?
The Delta II was originally manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, which developed the rocket as an evolution of earlier Delta boosters dating back to the 1960s. After Boeing acquired McDonnell Douglas in 1997, production and operations transitioned to Boeing, and later to the United Launch Alliance (ULA), the Boeing–Lockheed Martin joint venture formed in 2006.
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