UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

Delta 7920-8 | ACE

SUCCESS Delta II →
Aug 25, 1997 at 14:39 UTC
Heliocentric L1 Astrophysics Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA 100% success
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Mission Control3D trajectory · Live telemetry · AI narrator · Booster tracking
PADSpace Launch Complex 17A
SITECape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA →
ORBITHeliocentric L1
TYPEAstrophysics

The objective of the ACE (Advanced Composition Explorer) is to collect observations of particles of solar, interplanetary, interstellar, and galactic origins, spanning the energy range from that of keV.solar wind ions to galactic cosmic ray nuclei up to 600 MeV/nucleon.

VEHICLE
Delta II
MISSION
ACE
MISSION TYPE
Astrophysics
TARGET ORBIT
Heliocentric L1
COUNTRY
USA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: a8bbcbf9-696a-4f7d-81db-c11d063ac4d3
Reported date: Aug 25, 1997 at 14:39 UTC
Last synced: 20 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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MANUFACTURER
McDonnell Douglas
VARIANT
7920-8
FLIGHTS
1
SUCCESSES
1
SUCCESS RATE
100%

Delta II was an expendable launch system, originally designed and built by McDonnell Douglas. Delta II was part of the Delta rocket family and entered service in 1989. Delta II vehicles included the Delta 6000, and the two later Delta 7000 variants ("Light" and "Heavy"). The rocket flew its final mission ICESat-2 on 15 September 2018, earning the launch vehicle a streak of 100 successful missions in a row, with the last failure being GPS IIR-1 in 1997.

When is the Delta 7920-8 | ACE launch?
The Delta 7920-8 | ACE is scheduled for Monday, August 25, 1997 at 2:39 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for ACE?
The Delta 7920-8 | ACE mission uses the Delta II rocket, manufactured by McDonnell Douglas. The Delta II has flown 1 times with a 100% success rate.
Where is the Delta 7920-8 | ACE launching from?
The launch takes place from Space Launch Complex 17A at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.
What orbit is ACE going to?
The ACE mission is targeting Heliocentric L1.
Who is launching ACE?
The Delta 7920-8 | ACE is operated by United States Air Force.
Can I watch the Delta 7920-8 | ACE launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch date set: Aug 25, 1997 at 14:39 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by United States Air Force
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 20 minutes ago
Launch Library 220 minutes ago
Launch ID: a8bbcbf9-696a-4f7d-81db-c11d063ac4d3
Open-Meteo Weather4 days ago
Pad weather at 28.45, -80.57

Mission Profile

ACE was a Delta II 7920-8 mission operated by United States Air Force that lifted off from Space Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA on August 25, 1997. The flight carried its payload on a astrophysics mission to Heliocentric L1. The launch was a success.