Delta III (NASA/Boeing)
NASA/Boeing

Delta III
Operator: NASA / Boeing
Location: Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida (USA)
Timeframe: 1995-1999

Personal Interest:
The 45th Weather Squadron provided launch weather support for all launches from Cape Canaveral Air Station. This model represents the first Delta III. I was on duty for the August 1998 initial launch from SLC-17B, which was command destroyed on guidance failure. We watched the launch and subsequent explosion from the roof of the nearby Mission Control Center, and narrowly avoided raining debris from the rocket that veered in our direction! The second launch in May 1999 also ended in catastrophe follow a second stage engine failure. The third and final launch of the Delta III occurred in 2000 after my tour at CCAS had ended, resulting in a staggering 0% success rate.