UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE, SUCCESSFUL FLIGHT OF THE FIRST OPERATIONAL HEAVY LAUNCH VEHICLE
- Paper number
IAC-08.D2.1.1
- Author
Mr. Michael Berglund, United Launch Alliance, United States
- Coauthor
Mr. Mark Wilkins, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, United States
- Year
2008
- Abstract
On November 10th, 2007, the first operational Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle lifted off Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Approximately 6 hours and 20 minutes after lift-off, the vehicle successfully inserted the 2,400 kg Northrop-Grumman built Defense Support Program (DSP) satellite into geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) for the Air Force. The Heavy launch vehicle was subjected to a rigorous flight readiness review process to ensure mission success. The process included a series of launch readiness tests and countdown rehearsals while the vehicle was being processed on the launch pad. The maiden launch of the Heavy vehicle configuration occurred in December 2004, and served as a demonstration launch for the Air Force’s Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. The Heavy launch vehicle represents the largest lift capability among the vehicles offered by United Launch Alliance. The Delta family in particular consists of the Delta IV Medium, three Delta IV Medium vehicles with solid strap-on rocket motors (Medium-Plus variants), and the Delta IV Heavy. The current Heavy configuration has the highest mass-to-orbit performance capability of any available US Expendable Launch Vehicle. All Delta IV vehicle configurations utilize a common booster core (CBC). The Heavy employs two additional CBC’s, serving as liquid rocket boosters for added payload capability. The vehicle measures 71.7 m in height when fully stacked with a payload. This paper summarizes the critical events and challenges of the launch campaign through day of launch, the inaugural flight, post-flight data reconstruction and closure of flight observations.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.D2.1.1.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.