It has been suggested that some sections of this article be split into a new article entitled Delta IV launches. (Discuss)

Delta IV (Delta 9000)

Delta IV Medium launch carrying DSCS III-B6
Fact sheet
Function	Orbital launch vehicle
Manufacturer	Boeing IDS
Country of origin	U.S.A
Size
Height	63 - 77.2 m (206 - 253.2 ft)
Diameter	5 m (16.4 ft)
Mass	249,500 - 733,400 kg (550,000 - 1,616,800 lb)
Stages	2
Launch History
Status	Active
Launch Sites	SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral SLC-6, Vandenberg AFB
Total launches	6 Medium: 2 Medium+ (4,2): 3 Heavy: 1
Successes	5 Medium: 2 Medium+ (4,2): 3
Partial Failures	1 Heavy: 1
Maiden flight	20/11/02
Boosters (Medium+ Variants) - GEM 60
No boosters	Med: 0; M+4,2: 2; M+5: 2 or 4
Engines	1 Solid
Thrust	826.6 kN (185,817 lbf)
Specific Impulse	243 sec
Burn time	90 seconds
Fuel	Solid
Boosters (Heavy) - Delta IV CBC
No boosters	2
Engines	1 RS-68
Thrust	3,312.8 kN (744,737 lbf)
Specific Impulse	410 sec
Burn time	249 seconds
Fuel	LH2/LOX
First Stage - Delta IV CBC
Engines	1 RS-68
Thrust	3,312.8 kN (744,737 lbf)
Specific Impulse	410 sec
Burn time	259 seconds
Fuel	LH2/LOX
Second Stage
Engines	1 RL-10B-2
Thrust	110 kN (24,740 lbf)
Specific Impulse	462 sec
Burn time	850 - 1,125 seconds
Fuel	LH2/LOX

The Delta IV is a family of Delta rockets designed by Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems division and built in its purpose-built facility in Decatur, Alabama with final assembly at the launch site. The rockets were designed for the United States Air Force Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program and commercial satellite business, and are intended to reduce the cost and effort needed to launch payloads into orbit. The Delta IV is available in five versions: Medium, Medium+ (4,2), Medium+ (5,2), Medium+ (5,4), and Heavy, which are tailored to suit specific payload size and weight ranges. The Delta IV is primarily designed to satisfy the needs of the U.S. military. Image File history File links Splitsection. ... A unique aerial view of NROL-22 launch from SLC-6 (USAF photo/Staff Sgt. ... Download high resolution version (1600x2400, 2389 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Rockets (including missiles) can be launched from the following: for a launch into an orbital spaceflight and beyond: a launch pad, including a floating platform (see San Marco platform, Sea Launch) for the launch into a suborbital flight also: a missile silo a mobile launcher vehicle a submarine air launch... The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA, TYO: 7661 ) is an aerospace and defense corporation headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. ... Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (Boeing IDS), based in St. ... For other uses, see United States (disambiguation) and US (disambiguation). ... The metre, or meter (US), is a measure of length. ... This article is about a foot as a unit of length. ... The international prototype, made of platinum-iridium, which is kept at the BIPM under conditions specified by the 1st CGPM in 1889. ... The pound is the name of a number of units of mass, all in the range of 300 to 600 grams. ... The launch of GOES-N atop a Delta IV, from LC-37B Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 37 (LC-37) is a launch complex at Merritt Island, Cape Canaveral, Florida. ... The Bumper V-2 was the first missile launched at Cape Canaveral on July 24, 1950. ... First launch of a Boeing Delta IV Medium+ (4,2) from SLC-6 on June 27, 2006 (Official photo by Thom Baur for Boeing) Space Launch Complex-6 (SLC-6, nicknamed Slick Six) at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California was a launch pad and support area designed for the... Vandenberg Air Force Base is a base with a spaceport, located in Santa Barbara County, California. ... (Redirected from 20 November) November 20 is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... The Graphite-Epoxy motor is a type of rocket engine used as a booster in the Delta II rocket, among others. ... ... In physics, the newton (symbol: N) is the SI unit of force, named after Sir Isaac Newton in recognition of his work on classical mechanics. ... A pound-force (abbreviations: lbf or lbf) is a unit of force. ... The specific impulse (commonly abbreviated Isp) of a propulsion system is the impulse (change in momentum) per unit of propellant. ... ... The RS-68 (Rocket System 68) is the largest existing liquid hydrogen / liquid oxygen engine, producing a thrust of 650,000 lbf (2. ... In physics, the newton (symbol: N) is the SI unit of force, named after Sir Isaac Newton in recognition of his work on classical mechanics. ... A pound-force (abbreviations: lbf or lbf) is a unit of force. ... The specific impulse (commonly abbreviated Isp) of a propulsion system is the impulse (change in momentum) per unit of propellant. ... LH2 is an acronym used in the aerospace industry, which stands for liquid hydrogen. ... Lox can stand for any of several things: Lox (salmon) - a type of salmon produce LOx (oxidizer) - liquid oxygen used as oxidizer in aerospace The Lox - was a Yonkers, NY-based rap trio This is a disambiguation page — a list of articles associated with the same title. ... The RS-68 (Rocket System 68) is the largest existing liquid hydrogen / liquid oxygen engine, producing a thrust of 650,000 lbf (2. ... Thrust is a reaction force described quantitatively by Newtons Second and Third Law. ... In physics, the newton (symbol: N) is the SI unit of force, named after Sir Isaac Newton in recognition of his work on classical mechanics. ... A pound-force (abbreviations: lbf or lbf) is a unit of force. ... The specific impulse (commonly abbreviated Isp) of a propulsion system is the impulse (change in momentum) per unit of propellant. ... LH2 is an acronym used in the aerospace industry, which stands for liquid hydrogen. ... Lox can stand for any of several things: Lox (salmon) - a type of salmon produce LOx (oxidizer) - liquid oxygen used as oxidizer in aerospace The Lox - was a Yonkers, NY-based rap trio This is a disambiguation page — a list of articles associated with the same title. ... RL-10 Rocket Engine Specifications. ... The specific impulse (commonly abbreviated Isp) of a propulsion system is the impulse (change in momentum) per unit of propellant. ... LH2 is an acronym used in the aerospace industry, which stands for liquid hydrogen. ... Lox can stand for any of several things: Lox (salmon) - a type of salmon produce LOx (oxidizer) - liquid oxygen used as oxidizer in aerospace The Lox - was a Yonkers, NY-based rap trio This is a disambiguation page — a list of articles associated with the same title. ... Delta EELV family of launch vehicles (US Govt) Delta rocket (sometimes retroactively called Delta I) Delta II rocket Delta III rocket Delta IV rocket The Delta family of expendable launch vehicles has been a mainstay of the United States space launch capability since 1960. ... A Redstone rocket, part of the Mercury program The traditional definition of a rocket is a vehicle, missile or aircraft which obtains thrust by the reaction to the ejection of fast moving fluid from within a rocket engine. ... The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA, TYO: 7661 ) is an aerospace and defense corporation headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. ... Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (Boeing IDS), based in St. ... Decatur, Alabama is a city in Morgan County, Alabama, with a small portion in southern Limestone County. ... The U.S. Government–sponsored Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program was intended to develop affordable alternatives to legacy medium-to-heavy-lift launch vehicles (e. ...

The rockets are launched from LC-37B at Cape Canaveral, and SLC-6 at Vandenberg AFB. The launch of GOES-N atop a Delta IV, from LC-37B Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 37 (LC-37) is a launch complex at Merritt Island, Cape Canaveral, Florida. ... The Bumper V-2 was the first missile launched at Cape Canaveral on July 24, 1950. ... Space Launch Complex-6 (SLC-6, nicknamed Slick Six) at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California was a launch pad and support area designed for the launching of the Titan III in support of the cancelled Manned Orbiting Laboratory and later for the Space Shuttle. ... Vandenberg Air Force Base is a base with a spaceport, located in Santa Barbara County, California. ...

Vehicle description

First Delta IV Heavy with three CBCs prior to launch

The first stage of a Delta IV consists of one, or in the Heavy variety three, Common Booster Cores (CBC) powered by a Rocketdyne RS-68 engine. Unlike most first-stage rocket engines, which use solid fuel or kerosene, the RS-68 engines burn liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Common Core Booster (CCB) is the modular liquid fuelled first stage of the Atlas V expendable launch system. ... Common Core Booster (CCB) is the modular liquid fuelled first stage of the Atlas V expendable launch system. ... F-1 rocket engine Rocketdyne is the premier rocket engine design and production company in the United States. ... The RS-68 (Rocket System 68) is the largest existing liquid hydrogen / liquid oxygen engine, producing a thrust of 650,000 lbf (2. ... General Name, Symbol, Number hydrogen, H, 1 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 1, 1, s Appearance colorless Atomic mass 1. ... General Name, Symbol, Number oxygen, O, 8 Chemical series Nonmetals, chalcogens Group, Period, Block 16, 2, p Appearance colorless (gas) very pale blue (liquid) Atomic mass 15. ...

The RS-68 is the first large, liquid-fueled rocket engine designed in the U.S. since the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) in the 1970s. The primary goal for the RS-68 was to reduce cost versus the SSME. Some sacrifice in chamber pressure and specific impulse was made, hurting efficiency; however, development time, part count, total cost, and assembly labor were reduced to a fraction of the SSME, despite the RS-68's significantly greater size. Typically, the RS-68 runs at 102% rated thrust for the first few minutes of flight, and then throttles down to 58% rated thrust before main engine cutoff.[1] On the Heavy variant, the core CBC's engine throttles down to 58% rated thrust around 50 seconds after liftoff, while the strap-on CBCs remain at 102%. This allows the core CBC to conserve propellant and burn longer. After the strap-on CBCs separate, the core CBC's engine throttles back up to 102%, until main engine cutoff, before which it throttles back down to 58%.[2] Space Shuttle Main Engine cluster The Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) are the three main engines on the Space Shuttle orbiter. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ... The specific impulse (commonly abbreviated Isp) of a propulsion system is the impulse (change in momentum) per unit of propellant. ...

The RS-68 engine is mounted to the lower thrust structure of the vehicle by a four-legged (quadrapod) thrust frame, and enclosed in a protective composite conical thermal shield. Above the thrust structure is an aluminum isogrid (a grid pattern machined out of the inside of the tank to reduce weight) liquid hydrogen tank, followed by a composite cylinder called the centerbody, an aluminum isogrid liquid oxygen tank, and a forward skirt. Along the back of the CBC is a cable tunnel to hold electrical and signal lines, and a tube to carry the liquid oxygen to the RS-68 from the tank. The CBC is of a constant, 5-meter, diameter. Aluminum is a soft and lightweight metal with a dull silvery appearance, due to a thin layer of oxidation that forms quickly when it is exposed to air. ... The term composite can refer to several different things: A dental composite is an type of tooth filling material made of a plastic matrix containing high-strength quartz filler particles. ...

The L3 Communications Redundant Inertial Flight Control Assembly (RIFCA) guidance system used on the Delta IV is common to that carried on the Delta II, although the software is different because of the differences between the Delta II and Delta IV. The RIFCA features six ring laser gyroscopes and accelerometers each, to provide a higher degree of reliability.[3] L-3 Communications is a mezzanine company that supplies prime contractors with Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems and products, secure communications systems and products, avionics and ocean products, training devices and services, microwave components and telemetry, instrumentation, space and navigation products. ... A Delta II rocket launches from Cape Canaveral carrying a GPS satellite The Boeing IDS Delta II family of launch vehicles has been in service since 1989. ... A gyroscope is a device for measuring or maintaining orientation, based on the principle of conservation of angular momentum. ... A depiction of an accelerometer designed at Sandia National Laboratories. ...

The upper stage of the Delta IV is nearly identical to that of the Delta III, however the tanks are either stretched (in 4-meter variants), or have a larger diameter (5-meter variants). The second stage is powered by a Pratt & Whitney RL-10B2 engine, which features an extendible carbon-carbon nozzle to improve specific impulse. Depending on variant, two different interstages are used to mate the first and second stages. A tapering interstage which narrows down from 5-meters to 4-meters in diameter is used on 4-meter variants, where a cylindrical interstage is used on 5-meter variants. Both interstages are built from composites. Through the 90s, satellite masses were growing steadily. ... This article is about the U.S. company Pratt & Whitney. ... RL-10 Rocket Engine Specifications. ...

Delta IV 4-Meter Second Stage

To encapsulate the satellite payload, a variety of different payload fairings are available. A stretched Delta III 4-meter payload fairing is used on 4-meter variants, where an enlarged, 5-meter fairing is used on 5-meter variants. A longer version of the latter is standard on the Heavy variant, and a 5-meter, aluminum isogrid payload fairing is also available for the Heavy. Download high resolution version (3008x2000, 614 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (3008x2000, 614 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...

The Delta IV entered the space launch market at a period when global capacity was already much higher than demand. Furthermore, as an unproven design it has had difficulty finding a market in commercial launches, and the cost to launch a Delta IV is somewhat higher than that for competing vehicles. In 2003, Boeing pulled the Delta IV from the commercial market, citing low demand and high costs. In 2005, Boeing stated that it may return the Delta IV to commercial service; however as of 2006 no further announcements have been made regarding this.[4] All but one of the first launches have been paid for by the U.S. Government, with a cost of between $140 million and $170 million. 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Comparable rockets: Atlas V - Ariane 5 - Chang Zheng 5 - Angara Mercury Atlas 9 rocket and capsule on pad The Atlas is a venerable line of space launch vehicles built by Lockheed Martin. ... Ariane 5 lifts off with the Rosetta probe on 2 March 2004. ... Designed and developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), Long March 5 (LM-5, CZ-5, or Chang Zheng 5) is Chinas next generation space launch vehicle family, which would include a range of classes of launch vehicles for different missions. ... The Angara rocket, currently in development, is designed to launch heavy payloads into orbit, reducing Russias dependency on Kazakhstan for heavy lift (from whom Russia leases the Baikonur Cosmodrome), as well as eliminate the need to purchase Zenit rockets from Ukraine. ...

Variants

Delta IV evolution (US Govt)

The Delta IV Medium (Delta 9040) is the most basic Delta IV. It features a single CBC and a modified Delta III second stage, with 4-meter liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen tanks and a 4-meter payload fairing derived from the Delta III fairing. The Delta IV Medium is capable of launching 4,210 kg (9,285 lb) to geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). Delta rocket evolution (USAF) Downloaded from USAF website. ... Delta rocket evolution (USAF) Downloaded from USAF website. ... A geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) is a Hohmann transfer orbit around the Earth between a low Earth orbit (LEO) and a geostationary orbit (GEO). ...

The Delta IV Medium+ (4,2) (Delta 9240) is similar to the Medium, but uses two Alliant-built 1.5-m (60-in) diameter solid rocket strap-on Graphite-Epoxy Motors (GEM-60s) to increase payload capacity to 5,845 kg (12,890 lb) to GTO. Alliant Techsystems NYSE: ATK is a major US aerospace and defense contractor with sales of approximately USD $2. ... The Graphite-Epoxy motor is a type of rocket engine used as a booster in the Delta II rocket, among others. ...

The Delta IV Medium+ (5,2) (Delta 9250) is similar to the Medium+ (4,2), but has a 5-m–diameter payload fairing for larger payloads and a modified second stage with a 5-meter liquid hydrogen tank and stretched liquid oxygen tank. Because of the extra weight of the larger payload fairing and second stage, the Medium+ (5,2) can launch 4,640 kg (10,230 lb) to GTO, less than the Medium+ (4,2).

The Delta IV Medium+ (5,4) (Delta 9450) is similar to the Medium+ (5,2), but uses four GEM-60s instead of two, enabling it to lift 6,565 kg (14,475 lb) to GTO.

The Delta IV Heavy (Delta 9250H) is similar to the Medium+ (5,2), except that it uses two additional CBCs instead of using GEMs. These are strap-on boosters which are separated earlier in the flight than the center CBC. The Delta IV Heavy also features a stretched 5-meter composite payload fairing, although an aluminum fairing derived from the Titan IV is also available. [5] The Titan IV family (including the IVA and IVB) of space boosters are used by the US Air Force. ...

Capacity (separated spacecraft mass) of the Delta IV Heavy:

• geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO) 13,130 kg (28,950 lb), more than any other currently available launch vehicle
• geosynchronous orbit (GEO) 6,275 kg
• escape orbit 9,306 kg
• C₃ performance of 30 km²s⁻²: 5,228 kg
• C₃ performance of 60 km²s⁻²: 2,521 kg

The Heavy's total mass at launch is approximately 733,000 kg, much less than that of the Space Shuttle (2,040,000 kg). A geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) is a Hohmann transfer orbit around the Earth between a low Earth orbit (LEO) and a geostationary orbit (GEO). ... A geosynchronous orbit is a geocentric orbit that has the same orbital period as the sidereal rotation period of the Earth. ... An escape orbit (also known as C3 = 0 orbit) is the high-energy parabolic orbit around the central body. ... In astrodynamics the specific orbital energy (or vis-viva energy) of an orbiting body traveling through space under standard assumptions is the sum of its potential energy () and kinetic energy () per unit mass. ... This article is about the NASA Space Shuttle vehicle. ...

During the Delta IV's development, a Small variant was considered. This would have featured the Delta II second stage, an optional Thiokol Star 48B third stage, and the Delta II payload fairing, all atop a single CBC. The Small variants were later dropped. [6] A Delta II rocket launches from Cape Canaveral carrying a GPS satellite The Boeing IDS Delta II family of launch vehicles has been in service since 1989. ... A Trident C-4 FBM launches and fires its Thiokol solid rocket first stage Thiokol (variously Thiokol Chemical Company, Morton-Thiokol Inc. ...

Launch sites

The Delta IV utilizes both East and West Coast launch sites. Space Launch Complex 37 (SLC-37) at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, site of several unmanned Saturn I and -IB launches is used in the East. Polar-orbit and high-inclination launches use Vandenberg Air Force Base's SLC-6 pad, which was originally intended for the cancelled Air Force MOL space station, and later for polar orbit Space Shuttle flights (neither mission ever actually launched from SLC-6). The Bumper V-2 was the first missile launched at Cape Canaveral on July 24, 1950. ... The Saturn I was Americas first large clustered rocket. ... The Saturn IB was an uprated version of the Saturn I, which was the first manned launch vehicle that was not directly derived from an ICBM (though its tanks were derived from the Jupiter and Redstone tanks, and its first stage engines were Navaho derived). ... Vandenberg Air Force Base is a base with a spaceport, located in Santa Barbara County, California. ... Space Launch Complex-6 (SLC-6, nicknamed Slick Six) at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California was a launch pad and support area designed for the launching of the Titan III in support of the cancelled Manned Orbiting Laboratory and later for the Space Shuttle. ... Manned Orbiting Laboratory early 1960 conceptual drawing that did not use the Gemini spacecraft. ... This article is about the NASA Space Shuttle vehicle. ...

Launch facilities at both sites are similar. At the pad is a Mobile Service Tower (MST), which provides service access to the rocket and protection from the weather. There is a crane at the top of the MST, which allows the payload and GEM-60 solid motors to be attached to the vehicle. The MST is rolled away from the rocket several hours before launch. At Vandenberg, the launch pad also has a Mobile Assembly Shelter (MAS), which completely encloses the vehicle; at CCAFS, the vehicle is partly exposed near its bottom. A tower crane with a pivoted main boom Cranes on the Sheksna River, Cherepovets, Russia A worker telecommanding a crane from the ground A crane is a tower or derrick equipped with cables and pulleys that is used to lift and lower materials. ...

Beside the vehicle is a Fixed Umbilical Tower (FUT), which has two (VAFB) or three (CCAFS) swing arms. These arms carry electrical, hydraulic, environmental control, and other support functions to the vehicle through umbilical lines. The swing arms retract at T-0 seconds to prevent them from hitting the vehicle. Hydraulics is a branch of science and engineering concerned with the use of liquids to perform mechanical tasks. ...

Under the vehicle is a Launch Table, with six Tail Service Masts (TSMs), two for each CBC. The Launch Table supports the vehicle on the pad, and the TSMs provide further support and fueling functions for the CBCs. The vehicle is mounted to the Launch Table by a Launch Mate Unit (LMU), which is attached to the vehicle by bolts that sever at launch. Behind the Launch Table is a Fixed Pad Erector (FPE), which uses two long-stroke hydraulic pistons to raise the vehicle to the vertical position after being rolled to the pad from the Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF). Beneath the Launch Table is a flame duct, which deflects the rocket's exhaust away from the rocket or facilities.

The Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF) is situated some distance from the pad. It is a large building that allows the Delta IV CBCs and second stages to be mated and tested before they are moved to the pad.

Movement of the Delta IVs among the various facilities at the pad is facilitated by Elevating Platform Transporters (EPTs). These rubber-tired vehicles can be powered by either diesel engines or electric power. Diesel EPTs are used for moving the vehicles from the HIF to the pad, while electric EPTs are used in the HIF, where precision of movement is important.[7] now. ...

Vehicle processing

The Delta IVs are assembled using a process that Boeing claims reduces cost and expensive on-pad time. The CBCs are built in Boeing's factory in Decatur, Alabama. They are then loaded onto the M/V Delta Mariner, a roll-on/roll-off cargo vessel, and shipped to either launch pad. There, they are offloaded and rolled into the HIF, where they are mated with the second stages, which were shipped separately to the pad on the Delta Mariner. Also, in the HIF, the three CBCs of Heavy variant are mated to each other. Roll-on/roll-off is a method of transport (as a ferry, train, or airplane) that vehicles roll onto at the beginning and roll off of at the destination. ... Vessel can refer to any of the following: Objects Vessel (French vaissel, from a rare Latin vascellum, diminuitive of vas, vase, or urn), a word of somewhat wide application for many objects, the meaning common to them being capacity to hold or contain something. ...

Various tests are performed, and then the vehicle is rolled horizontally to the pad, where the Fixed Pad Erector (FPE) is used to raise the vehicle to the vertical position, inside the MST. At this time, the GEM-60 solid motors, if any are required, are rolled to the pad and attached to the vehicle. After further testing, the payload (which has already been enclosed in its fairing) is transported to the pad, hoisted into the MST by a crane, and attached to the vehicle. Finally, on launch day, the MST is rolled away from the vehicle, and the vehicle is ready for launch.[8]

Delta IV launches

A unique aerial view of NROL-22 launch from SLC-6 (USAF photo/Staff Sgt. ...

Past launches

A unique aerial view of NROL-22 launch from SLC-6 (USAF photo/Staff Sgt. Quinton Russ)

• The Eutelsat W5 communications satellite was first launch of a Delta IV using the Medium+ (4,2) variant. The launch occurred on 20 November 2002, from Cape Canaveral. The communications satellite was placed into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).

• DSCS III-A3 was the second launch, also from Cape Canaveral on 10 March 2003. The Medium placed the U.S. Air Force's Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) satellite into GTO.

• DSCS III-B6 was launched on 29 August 2003 from Cape Canaveral. The Medium carried the last of the DSCS satellites into GTO.

GOES-N launch on a Medium+ (4,2)

• Heavy Demo was the first launch of the Heavy variant on 21 December 2004 after significant delays due to bad weather. Due to cavitation in the propellant lines, sensors registered depletion of propellant. The strap-on, and later core CBC engines shut down prematurely, even though sufficient propellant remained to continue the burn as scheduled. The second stage attempted to compensate for the under-burn, until it ran out of propellant. This flight was a test launch carrying a payload consisting of:
  • DemoSat — 6020 kg; an alumunum cylinder filled with 60 brass rods — planned to be carried to GEO; however due to the sensor faults, the satellite did not reach this orbit.
  • NanoSat-2, carried to low Earth orbit (LEO) — a set of two very small satellites of 24 and 21 kg, nicknamed Sparky and Ralphie — planned to orbit for one day. Given the under-burn, the two most likely did not reach a stable orbit. [9]

• GOES-N, a weather satellite for NOAA and NASA, was launched aboard a Medium+ (4,2) from Cape Canaveral on 24 May 2006. The launch had been delayed several times due to technical issues and a union strike.

• NROL-22, a classified satellite for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) was launched aboard a Medium+ (4,2) on 27 June 2006. This was the first Delta IV launched from SLC-6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB).

• DMSP 17, a United States Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellite, will be launched no earlier than 6 October 2006 aboard a Medium rocket. This launch will occur from SLC-6 at VAFB.

• DSP-23 is the first launch of a valuable payload aboard a Heavy vehicle. The main payload is the 23rd and final Defense Support Program missile-warning satellite. Launch will take place from Cape Canaveral and is curently scheduled for 31 January 2007.

• NROL-25 will carry a classified U.S. NRO reconnaissance satellite on a Medium+ (5,2). Launch date is currently to be determined.

• NROL-26 will carry a classified U.S. NRO satellite on a Heavy. Launch date is currently to be determined.

List updated: 12 July 2006. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1050x750, 120 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Delta IV rocket Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 6 Delta IV launches Metadata This file contains additional information... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1050x750, 120 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Delta IV rocket Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 6 Delta IV launches Metadata This file contains additional information... Eutelsat S.A. is a French-based satellite provider. ... November 20 is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... The Bumper V-2 was the first missile launched at Cape Canaveral on July 24, 1950. ... A geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) is a Hohmann transfer orbit around the Earth between a low Earth orbit (LEO) and a geostationary orbit (GEO). ... March 10 is the 69th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (70th in leap years). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The U.S. Air Force redirects here, for the offical song, see The U.S. Air Force (song) The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerospace branch of the United States armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services. ... A geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) is a Hohmann transfer orbit around the Earth between a low Earth orbit (LEO) and a geostationary orbit (GEO). ... August 29 is the 241st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (242nd in leap years), with 124 days remaining. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1968x3000, 471 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Delta IV rocket Graphite-Epoxy Motor Delta IV launches ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1968x3000, 471 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Delta IV rocket Graphite-Epoxy Motor Delta IV launches ... December 21 is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Cavitating propeller model in a water tunnel experiment Cavitation is the phenomenon where small and largely empty cavities are generated in a fluid, which expand to large size and then rapidly collapse, producing a sharp sound. ... A low Earth orbit (LEO) is an orbit in which objects such as satellites are below intermediate circular orbit (ICO) and far below geostationary orbit, but typically around 350 - 1400 km above the Earths surface. ... Goes is a municipality and a city in the southwestern Netherlands, in Zuid-Beveland. ... The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a scientific agency of the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere. ... NASA logo Listen to this article · (info) This audio file was created from an article revision dated 2005-09-01, and does not reflect subsequent edits to the article. ... The Bumper V-2 was the first missile launched at Cape Canaveral on July 24, 1950. ... May 24 is the 144th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (145th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is a department of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) which designs, builds and operates the reconnaissance satellites of the United States government. ... June 27 is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 187 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... An artist’s impression showing one of the Block 5D-2 spacecraft in orbit. ... October 6 is the 279th day of the year (280th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 31 is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) will be a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is a department of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) which designs, builds and operates the reconnaissance satellites of the United States government. ... A spy satellite (officially referred to as a reconnaissance satellite or recon sat) is an Earth observation satellite or communications satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications. ... The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is a department of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) which designs, builds and operates the reconnaissance satellites of the United States government. ... A spy satellite (officially referred to as a reconnaissance satellite or recon sat) is an Earth observation satellite or communications satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications. ... July 12 is the 193rd day (194th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 172 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

November 20 is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... The Bumper V-2 was the first missile launched at Cape Canaveral on July 24, 1950. ... Eutelsat S.A. is a French-based satellite provider. ... U.S. military MILSTAR communications satellite A communications satellite (sometimes abbreviated to comsat) is an artificial satellite stationed in space for the purposes of telecommunications. ... March 11 is the 70th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (71st in Leap year). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 29 is the 241st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (242nd in leap years), with 124 days remaining. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... December 21 is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... May 24 is the 144th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (145th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Goes is a municipality and a city in the southwestern Netherlands, in Zuid-Beveland. ... June 27 is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 187 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Vandenberg Air Force Base is a base with a spaceport, located in Santa Barbara County, California. ...

Planned launches

List Date: July 12, 2006 July 12 is the 193rd day (194th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 172 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Vandenberg Air Force Base is a base with a spaceport, located in Santa Barbara County, California. ... An artist’s impression showing one of the Block 5D-2 spacecraft in orbit. ... January 31 is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) will be a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Bumper V-2 was the first missile launched at Cape Canaveral on July 24, 1950. ... Painting of a DSP satellite on station. ... 2007 (MMVII) will be a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Vandenberg Air Force Base is a base with a spaceport, located in Santa Barbara County, California. ... The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is a department of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) which designs, builds and operates the reconnaissance satellites of the United States government. ... KH-4B Corona satellite Lacrosse radar spy satellite under construction A spy satellite (officially referred to as a reconnaissance satellite or recon sat) is an Earth observation satellite or communications satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications. ... 2007 (MMVII) will be a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Bumper V-2 was the first missile launched at Cape Canaveral on July 24, 1950. ... The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is a department of the United States Department of Defense (DoD) which designs, builds and operates the reconnaissance satellites of the United States government. ... KH-4B Corona satellite Lacrosse radar spy satellite under construction A spy satellite (officially referred to as a reconnaissance satellite or recon sat) is an Earth observation satellite or communications satellite deployed for military or intelligence applications. ...

Upgrade options

Possible future upgrades for the Delta IV include adding extra strap-on solid motors to boost capacity, higher-thrust main engines, lighter materials, higher-thrust second stages, and more (up to six) strap-on CBCs. [10]

NASA originally had plans to use the Delta IV Heavy for the Crew Exploration Vehicle, the replacement for the Space Shuttle. But with the change of the CEV from a winged or lifting body spacecraft to an Apollo-like capsule and a new launch vehicle based on Space Shuttle components, the only component from the Delta IV that NASA would adopt is the RS-68 engine that would be used to power the new cryogenically-fueled Ares V rocket. CEV with lunar lander CEV during a landing on earth CEV rocket, the Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV) (right) along side the heavy-lift Cargo Launch Vehicle (CaLV) rocket. ... Comparison of the Saturn V, Space Shuttle, Ares I, and Ares V. This article is about the Ares V launch vehicle. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Delta (rocket)

• Boeing's Delta IV Rocket page
• http://www.skyrocket.de/space/doc_lau/delta-4.htm
• Comparison of Delta IV Heavy with Spaceshuttle
• Boeing's Delta IV Heavy Gets Ready for its Close-Up, Space News, 2004-12-06.
• Weather Delays Delta IV Heavy Launch Mission, Media Release, U.S. Air Force, 2004-12-09
• Astronautix.com links for:
  • Delta IV Heavy
  • Delta IV Medium (5,4)
  • Delta IV Medium (5,2)
  • Delta IV Medium (4,2)
  • Delta IV Medium