Delta 180

 1986-069A

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The Delta 180 Payload Adapter System was the interceptor used for the Delta 180 collision experiment. The mission was also referred to as DM43. The PAS consisted of a Payload Module with a Phoenix missile radar and an AJ-201 liquid rocket engine (or TR-201?).

Delta 180 was launched on 1986 Sep 5 from Cape Canaveral. The PAS separated over the Indian Ocean 45 minutes later. On the second orbit PAS fired its engine to enter a new orbit and began the tracking phase. Less than half an hour later, PAS and its parent Delta 180 stage collided at hypersonic relative velocity over Kwajalein in the Pacific. at 14.82N 167.7E and 217.5 km. Relative speed was 3 km/s.

Delta 180 PAS
Date	Time	Event	Orbit
1986 Sep 5	1508:01	Launch by Delta 3920	CC LC17
		T+0:59? SRM 1-6 burnout
		T+1:03? SRM 7-9 burn
		T+1:04? SRM 1-6 sep
		T+2:03? SRM 7-9 burnout
		T+2:04? SRM 7-9 sep
		T+3:43? MECO
		T+3:49? VECO
	1511	T+3:51? Thor sep
	1511	T+3:56? SES-1
	1512	T+4:23? Fairing sep
	1517?	T+9:49? Delta SECO-1
			220 x 222 x 28.5
	1553	Sep from Delta 180 over IOR
	1730	Tracking begins
	1730	PAS divert burn, range 220 km
	1751	PAS closing burn, range 59 km	215 x 753 x 39.40
	1752:33	PAS collides with Delta 180
1986 Sep 6	0751		94.38 211 x 765 x 39.1
1986 Sep 7	1518		211 x 746 x 39.1
		69C-P cataloged with i=22 to 40
		69Q-T cataloged with i=39.5
1986 Sep 11			93.71 208 x 703 x 39.1
1986 Sep 25			89.54 177 x 325 x 39.1