Delta 4 Heavy Ready For Demonstation Launch
by 1st Lt Kevin Tuttle for Air Force News
Cape Canaveral (SPX) Nov 02, 2004
America got its first look at the new, fully-stacked Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle on Oct. 27 when the mobile service tower rolled back at Space Launch Complex 37B.
Members from various agencies, including Boeing, the Air Force and news media representatives, witnessed historic event here - a major milestone in the Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program.
The massive launch vehicle stands nearly 235 feet high and will carry a demonstration payload on its inaugural mission, currently scheduled for next month. The payload will weigh over 6.5 tons, simulating the weight of a heavy payload, said Lt. Col. James Planeaux, Delta IV program manager, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California.
"The whole mission will be demonstrated in anticipation of future heavy lifts for national security payloads," Lt. Col. Planeaux said. Boeing and the Air Force have worked hand-in-hand since the inception of the project and look forward to a successful mission, he said.
The 5th Space Launch Squadron, a unit of the 45th Space Wing, located here helps process and launch EELVs.
"We scrutinize the contractors launch processes and procedures by participating with them as they plan each mission and prepare the rocket for launch, and by engaging with the launch team during the countdown," said Lt. Col. Robert Atkins, 5th SLS commander. He explained the significance of the upcoming launch.
"The Air Force Heavy Demonstration mission will be the first launch of a Delta IV Heavy configuration, essentially three liquid-fueled rockets flying 'in formation,' " he said. "This booster is critical for our nation's security because it will enable us to launch our heaviest DoD and national reconnaissance satellites after Titan IV retires."
The Delta IV Heavy is made up of three conventional Delta IV rockets strapped together. Each rocket has a RS-68 hydrogen-fueled engine, which generates 17 million horsepower, equivalent to 11 Hoover dams. Each rocket engine produces about 758,000 pounds of thrust at lift off.
The EELV program has created more affordable spacelift for both commercial and military payloads. "This is the first rocket engine designed specifically for value," said Michael Costas, RS-68 program director in Canoga Park, Calif. "Each rocket consumes one ton of propellants per second equating to about five tanker trailers per minute," he said.
'''December 13, 2004'''

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida - The first new heavy lift space vehicle in a generation is cleared to launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The Boeing '''Delta IV Heavy''' has missed launch opportunities three days in a row (starting Friday, December 12) due to minor technical difficulties. It is now scheduled to launch Dec. 20 or 21 from pad SLC-37B.

The '''Delta 4''' was developed as part of the U.S Air Force's ''Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle'' program to reduce costs and improve reliability.  The basic design is a two stage, cryogenic LOx/LH2 rocket.  Strap-on boosters may be added to increase lift capacity.  

Two major obstacles have plagued the project in recent years; a bidding scandal which cost Boeing a large portion of the military satellite launch business for which it was competing, and a downturn in commercial satellite launches in 2001.

The ''Heavy'' variant of the Delta 4 rocket can place 13,100 kg (28,950 Lb) into geostationary transfer orbit, greater than any other current rocket. Two additional first stage cores are used as strap-on boosters for this configuration. Their rated thrust is 2,900,000 N (656,000 lb) each. 

Delta 4's main engine, the RS68, is the most powerful hydrogen/liquid oxygen engine in the world, approximately three times as powerful as the Ariane 5 Vulcain HM60. Its design sacrifices efficiency for increased reliability and lower cost: rated specific impulse is 365s at sea level and 410s in a vacuum. The second stage engine, Pratt and Whitney's RL-10B-2, has a specific impulse of 462s.

The primary market for this launcher will be classified spy satellites for the US intelligence community. Most of these satellites were previously launched on the Titan 4, which has since been retired. The Delta 4 Heavy's published launch cost is $170 million, compared to the Titan 4's $400 million (1999 dollars).

Delta 4 Heavy's maiden launch is a demonstration and will carry a dummy load and two nano-satellites. The main payload, dubbed ''DemoSat'' is a 6020 kg (13271 lb) mass designed to simulate the dynamic and initial properties of a real satellite.  Its design consists of large brass rods, intended to fully burn up on reentry.

The two nano-satellites are part of the US Department of Defense ''Nanosat-2 Program'', and built by students from New Mexico State University, Arizona State University, and the University of Colorado at Boulder.