Boeing Delta IV Heavy Achieves Major Test Objectives in First Flight

The Boeing Delta
IV Heavy made its first flight today achieving the major test objectives
despite placing its demonstration satellite in a lower than expected orbit.

The Delta IV Heavy lifted off from Space Launch Complex 37B, Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., at 4:50 p.m. EST, on a demonstration launch
for the Air Force’s Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. The
demonstration satellite was deployed following a 5-hour and 50-minute flight.

“The EELV program and Boeing invested in today’s demonstration launch to
ensure that the Delta IV Heavy, the only EELV Heavy variant available, is
ready to launch our nation’s most important national security payloads into
space,” said Dan Collins, vice president of Boeing Expendable Launch Systems.
“While the demonstration satellite did not reach its intended orbit, we now
have enough information and confidence in the Delta IV Heavy to move forward
with preparations for the upcoming Defense Support Program launch in 2005.”

A preliminary review of the data indicates that a shorter than expected
first-stage burn led to the low orbit. However, according to the Air Force
EELV program office, the primary flight objectives were accomplished in
today’s all-up test of the new launch vehicle. The heavy boost phase, the new
five-meter upper stage and five-meter payload fairing, extended coast, upper
stage third burn and payload separation, and activation and usage of Space
Launch Complex 37B for a Heavy launch were all successfully demonstrated.

“I want to thank our entire Delta team, including our government and
industry partners,” Collins said. “Their efforts, hard work and focus have
once again moved our industry forward. We have a very happy and confident
customer, thanks to all the hard work put in by this team.”

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of
the world’s largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis,
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $27 billion business. It provides
network-centric system solutions to its global military, government, and
commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance systems; the world’s largest military aircraft
manufacturer; the world’s largest satellite manufacturer and a leading
provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for
U.S. missile defense and Department of Homeland Security; NASA’s largest
contractor; and a global leader in launch services.