Boeing Fires Up Engine in Preparation for Delta IV Debut
The Boeing Company
[NYSE:BA] completed a critical hot-fire rehearsal today at Cape Canaveral
Air Force Station, Fla. The test sets the stage for the first flight
of the Boeing Delta IV powered by the first U.S.-designed and built
liquid-fueled rocket engine certified for flight in a generation.
The test firing of the Delta IV first stage propulsion system –
the Boeing Rocketdyne RS-68 engine – was an integral part of a
second launch dress rehearsal designed to help ensure the success of
the rocket’s first flight – currently scheduled for mid-November.
It was also the last major Delta IV development milestone for the rocket
that was built by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, a business unit
of The Boeing Company.
“We are about to launch a new family of rockets that will have
a long-term impact on the space launch, telecommunications, and defense
industries,” said Dan Collins, vice president and Delta program
manager. “Our team did a fantastic job of completing this rehearsal.
The test firing serves as a steppingstone and positions us to obtain
our goal of providing the U.S. government and the commercial world the
best value, performance-driven launch vehicle for satellite deployment.
“We planned a rigorous test program focused on assuring mission
success and we’ve completed every test in the plan. Now it’s
time to go launch.”
During the rehearsal, the Delta team counted down to T minus 3.5 seconds,
ignited the RS-68 main engine, and brought it up to full thrust at 17
million horsepower – rivaling the power generated by 11 Hoover
Dams. The engine was shut off at T zero as planned.
The Delta IV Medium+(4,2), which includes a 4-meter diameter fairing
with two strap-on solid rocket motors to supplement the first stage
engine, is scheduled to launch next month from Space Launch Complex
37B. It will deploy into orbit the W-5 telecommunications satellite
for Eutelsat S.A. of France. This Delta IV Medium+(4,2) is one of five
Delta IV configurations. The largest and most powerful of this launch
system is the Delta IV Heavy, which can carry up to 13,130 kg (28,950
lb) to geosynchronous transfer orbit (high orbit).
The new Delta IV launch system was developed under the U.S. Air Force’s
space launch program called Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV)
to reduce launch costs and provide assured access to space. Though an
Air Force program, EELV was designed with both government and commercial
use in mind.
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 $23 billion business.
It provides systems solutions to its global military, government, and
commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance,
and reconnaissance; 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; NASA’s largest contractor; and a global leader
in launch services.
