UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Thor Delta L | HEOS 2
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Jan 31, 1972 at 17:20 UTC
▸ Flight profile›
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MISSION OVERVIEW
HEOS 2 was a spin-stabilized spacecraft with a highly eccentric orbit whose apogee occurred at high latitude. Its primary scientific mission was the investigation of interplanetary space and the high-latitude magnetosphere and its boundary in the region around the northern neutral point.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Thor Delta LAGENCY
United States Air ForceMISSION
HEOS 2
MISSION TYPE
Astrophysics
TARGET ORBIT
Elliptical Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Space Launch Complex 2ELAUNCH SITE
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USACOUNTRY
USA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 97b73b41-780e-45ad-ab01-6b885f51781f
Reported date: Jan 31, 1972 at 17:20 UTC
Last synced: 2 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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PAYLOAD →
EOS
Earth Observation
ISROOPERATOR
SSOORBIT
6TOTAL LAUNCHES
VEHICLE — Thor Delta L →
MANUFACTURER
McDonnell Douglas
VARIANT
Delta L
FLIGHTS
2
SUCCESSES
1
SUCCESS RATE
50%
American orbital launch vehicle family with Thor first stage and a delta second stage.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Thor Delta L | HEOS 2 launch?
The Thor Delta L | HEOS 2 is scheduled for Monday, January 31, 1972 at 5:20 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 HEOS 2?
The Thor Delta L | HEOS 2 mission uses the Thor Delta L rocket, manufactured by McDonnell Douglas. The Thor Delta L has flown 2 times with a 50% success rate.
Where is the Thor Delta L | HEOS 2 launching from?
The launch takes place from Space Launch Complex 2E at Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.
What orbit is HEOS 2 going to?
The HEOS 2 mission is targeting Elliptical Orbit.
Who is launching HEOS 2?
The Thor Delta L | HEOS 2 is operated by United States Air Force.
Can I watch the Thor Delta L | HEOS 2 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.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 28, 2026 21:44 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 21:44 UTC
Launch date set: Jan 31, 1972 at 17:20 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by United States Air Force
Mar 28, 2026 21:44 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 2 minutes ago
●Launch Library 22 minutes ago
Launch ID: 97b73b41-780e-45ad-ab01-6b885f51781f
●Open-Meteo Weather21 hours ago
Pad weather at 34.75, -120.62
Mission Profile
HEOS 2 was a Thor Delta L mission operated by United States Air Force that lifted off from Space Launch Complex 2E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on January 31, 1972. The flight carried its payload on a astrophysics mission to Elliptical Orbit. The launch was a success.