|
||||
Boeing's Delta 4 rocket debuts successfully BY JUSTIN RAY SPACEFLIGHT NOW Posted: November 20, 2002 The era of Boeing's next-generation rocket family was launched with success Wednesday as the maiden Delta 4 powered its way into Earth orbit to deploy a European-made communications satellite.
After years of development and delays along the way, the Delta 4 was cleared for blastoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's rebuilt pad 37B, a complex that was used over 35 years ago to launch unmanned Saturn 1 and 1B rockets to prepare for mankind's voyage to the moon. As clocks ticked off the final seconds, the first large liquid-fueled rocket engine built in the U.S. since the space shuttle main engine a quarter-century ago, the Rocketdyne RS-68 powerplant, surged to life with a ball of golden flame. Moments later the two solid motors strapped to the base of the rocket lit, propelling the Delta 4 rocket into the dusk sky at 5:39 p.m. EST (2239 GMT). The 205-foot tall launcher arced over the Atlantic, heading downrange for a mission to place its paying cargo into geosynchronous transfer orbit and prove to the world Boeing's rocket for the 21st century has the right stuff. Just over 37 minutes after launch, the Eutelsat W5 spacecraft was released into the intended orbit, achieving a needed success to build the Delta 4's reputation and ensure the rocket's future. "This day was a long time in coming but it was worth it," said Will Trafton, president of Boeing Launch Services. "We told everyone from the beginning that we would take our time, we would do it right and that mission success was our number one priority. I think we proved that tonight." "We have successfully demonstrated the new Delta 4 vehicle, and it will have a major impact on the world launch market," said Gale Schluter, vice president and general manager of Boeing Expendable Launch Systems. "Everything had to work perfectly tonight and everything did work perfectly. We put the satellite in precisely the correct orbit, which is the best you could hope for." Boeing created the Delta 4 to answer the call from the U.S. Air Force for an Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle -- a rocket design that would be cheaper and more reliable over today's versions of Titan, Atlas and Delta boosters. The Air Force has ordered 22 Delta 4 launches. In addition to carrying cargos for the military, Delta 4 also will compete head-to-head with Europe's Ariane 5, Lockheed Martin's Atlas 5, the Russian Proton and Sea Launch Zenit rockets for commercial satellite launches. The commercial market is currently overpopulated with many more rockets in supply than satellites demanding a ride to space. Such an environment meant the Delta 4 couldn't afford to stumble on its first launch. The Atlas 5, the other EELV rocket, successfully flew its first flight in August. The next Delta 4 launch is scheduled for February when the first Air Force mission using an EELV will occur. The rocket will loft another satellite in the long line of DSCS military communications spacecraft. Boeing has 26 flights of Delta 4 booked through 2007. The first payload
W5 features 24 Ku-band transponders and is capable of relaying video programming and providing Internet backbone connections. The satellite, originally called W1, was damaged in a factory fire four years ago. It has been been fixed and tested, giving Eutelsat confidence it will operate successfully for a 12-year on-orbit lifetime. "Within four years we have had time to repair and reconfigure the satellite and to test it successfully to Eutelsat's satisfaction," Alcatel Space vice president Bernard Molestei said.
|
New DVD The conception, design, development, testing and launch history of the Saturn I and IB rocket is documented in this forthcoming three-disc DVD. U.S. STORE U.K. & WORLDWIDE STORE Hubble Calendar NEW! This remarkable calendar features stunning images of planets, stars, gaseous nebulae, and galaxies captured by NASA's orbiting Hubble Space Telescope . U.S. STORE U.K. & WORLDWIDE STORE The ultimate Apollo 11 DVD NEW 3-DISC EDITION This exceptional chronicle of the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing mission features new digital transfers of film and television coverage unmatched by any other. U.S. STORE U.K. & WORLDWIDE STORE Hubble Posters Stunning posters featuring images from the Hubble Space Telescope and world-renowned astrophotographer David Malin are now available from the Astronomy Now Store. U.S. STORE U.K. & WORLDWIDE STORE Hubble Astronomy Now presents Hubble: the space telescope's view of the cosmos. A collection of the best images from the world’s premier space observatory. U.S. STORE U.K. & WORLDWIDE STORE |
|||||
MISSION STATUS CENTER |