UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

Thor Delta M | NATO IIB

SUCCESS Thor Delta M →
Feb 3, 1971 at 01:41 UTC
Geostationary Orbit Government/Top Secret Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA 83% success
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Live Orbit
Fullscreen
Mission Control3D trajectory · Live telemetry · AI narrator · Booster tracking
PADSpace Launch Complex 17A
SITECape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA →
ORBITGeostationary Orbit
TYPEGovernment/Top Secret

First generation satellite providing communications bezween officials of NATO nations.

MISSION
NATO IIB
MISSION TYPE
Government/Top Secret
TARGET ORBIT
Geostationary Orbit
COUNTRY
USA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 4d1c1c66-7fba-473f-8987-ff511887a854
Reported date: Feb 3, 1971 at 01:41 UTC
Last synced: 2 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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MANUFACTURER
McDonnell Douglas
VARIANT
Delta M
FLIGHTS
12
SUCCESSES
10
SUCCESS RATE
83.3%

American orbital launch vehicle family with Thor first stage and a delta second stage.

When is the Thor Delta M | NATO IIB launch?
The Thor Delta M | NATO IIB is scheduled for Wednesday, February 3, 1971 at 1:41 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for NATO IIB?
The Thor Delta M | NATO IIB mission uses the Thor Delta M rocket, manufactured by McDonnell Douglas. The Thor Delta M has flown 12 times with a 83.3% success rate.
Where is the Thor Delta M | NATO IIB launching from?
The launch takes place from Space Launch Complex 17A at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.
What orbit is NATO IIB going to?
The NATO IIB mission is targeting Geostationary Orbit.
Who is launching NATO IIB?
The Thor Delta M | NATO IIB is operated by United States Air Force.
Can I watch the Thor Delta M | NATO IIB 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 28, 2026 21:44 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 21:44 UTC
Launch date set: Feb 3, 1971 at 01:41 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
Last data sync: 2 minutes ago
Launch Library 22 minutes ago
Launch ID: 4d1c1c66-7fba-473f-8987-ff511887a854
Open-Meteo Weather2 days ago
Pad weather at 28.45, -80.57

Mission Profile

NATO IIB was a Thor Delta M mission operated by United States Air Force that lifted off from Space Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA on February 3, 1971. The flight carried its payload on a government/top secret mission to Geostationary Orbit. The launch was a success.