The Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program was a United States government, primarily a Department of Defense–sponsored effort to develop at least one family of space launch vehicles, that would meet the long term needs of the military. But also to fulfill commercial and government need for cost-efficient and reliable access to earth orbit. The government of the United States, established by the United States Constitution, is a federal republic of 50 states, a few territories and some protectorates. ...

Initial Development

After the US Air Force assembled its initial blue print for the EELV in 1994, following many years of government funded studies into an improved system and architecture, which was intended to replace all if not most existing “legacy” spacelifters (e.g. Delta II, Atlas II/CENTAUR, Titan IV, etc.). The architecture called for the spacelifter to be based on standardized fairings, liquid core vehicles, upper stages, and solid rockets. The standard payload interface was also proposed as another way to save money and improve efficiency. Seal of the Air Force. ... 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. ... Mission Atlas II is a member of the Atlas family of launch vehicles, which evolved from the successful Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program. ... The Titan IV family (including the IVA and IVB) of space boosters are used by the US Air Force. ... ...

Bid Competition

The initial bid from four major defense contractors Lockheed Martin, Boeing, McDonnell-Douglas, and Alliant Techsystems. Each of the bids had a variety of different concepts. One of the contractors, Boeing, initial proposed utilizing the Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME), which may have lowered overall operating cost by recovery, refurbishment, and reuse^[1]. Boeing would later absorb McDonald Douglas’ spacelifter for the EELV. Lockheed/BAE/Northrop F-35 Lockheed Trident missile C-130 Hercules; in production since the 1950s, now as the C-130J Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is an aerospace manufacturer formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. ... The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA, TYO: 7661 ) is an aerospace and defense corporation headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. ... McDonnell Douglas was a major American aerospace manufacturer, producing a number of famous commercial and military aircraft. ... Alliant Techsystems NYSE: ATK is a major US aerospace and defense contractor with sales of approximately USD $2. ... The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA, TYO: 7661 ) is an aerospace and defense corporation headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. ... Space Shuttle Main Engine block The Space Shuttle orbiter has three main engines. ... The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA, TYO: 7661 ) is an aerospace and defense corporation headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. ...

Design

Boeing and Lockheed Martin were both collectively awarded US$ 100 million for the final phase of the bid. Both companies built their designs around modularization, standardization and minimizing the amount of equipment and using proven, reliable and simplified systems. Boeing developed the Common Booster Core (CBC) that would be the center of the Delta IV. Lockheed Martin would do something similar with the Atlas V but call it a Common booster. Industrial Espionage Boeing was found to be in possession of sensitive documents from Lockheed Martin. As a result of the back and forth litigation, accusations, and just plain unethical behavior both companies came to an agreement to join force and form United Launch Alliance. Each will have a 50-50 stake in this joint venture. The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA, TYO: 7661 ) is an aerospace and defense corporation headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. ... Lockheed/BAE/Northrop F-35 Lockheed Trident missile C-130 Hercules; in production since the 1950s, now as the C-130J Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is an aerospace manufacturer formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. ... Common Core Booster (CCB) is the modular liquid fuelled first stage of the Atlas V expendable launch system. ... Delta EELV family of launch vehicles (US Govt) The Delta IV family of rockets are EELVs (evolved expendable launch vehicles) built by Boeing IDS. They come in five versions: medium, medium+ (4,2), medium+ (5,2), medium+ (5,4), and heavy. ... Lockheed/BAE/Northrop F-35 Lockheed Trident missile C-130 Hercules; in production since the 1950s, now as the C-130J Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is an aerospace manufacturer formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. ... Mercury Atlas 9 rocket and capsule on pad The Atlas is a venerable line of space launch vehicles built by Lockheed Martin. ... The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA, TYO: 7661 ) is an aerospace and defense corporation headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. ... Lockheed/BAE/Northrop F-35 Lockheed Trident missile C-130 Hercules; in production since the 1950s, now as the C-130J Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is an aerospace manufacturer formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. ... A lawsuit is a civil action brought before a court in order to recover a right, obtain damages for an injury, obtain an injunction to prevent an injury, or obtain a declaratory judgment to prevent future legal disputes. ... On May 2, 2005 Boeing and Lockheed Martin announced their intention to form the United Launch Alliance by merging the operations of both of their government space launch services. ...

References

1. ^ "Boeing Banks on SSME For Air Force Contract," Space News, 1 May 1995, page 2.

External Links

EELV at Global Security

Delta IV at Boeing IDS