The Next-Generation Heavy-Lift Vehicle -- The Inaugural Flight of the EELV Delta IV Heavy

Abstract

On December 21, 2004, The Boeing Company Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, at 4:50 p.m. EST, on a demonstration launch for the Air Force’s Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. Achieving its primary objectives, this breathtaking launch marked the inaugural flight of the Boeing Delta Heavy. The Heavy launch vehicle represents the largest of the five vehicles of the Delta IV family. The family 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 U.S. expendable launch vehicle currently in production. All Delta IV vehicle configurations utilize a common booster core (CBC). The Heavy employs two additional CBCs, serving as liquid rocket boosters for added payload capability. The vehicle measures 71.7 m in height when fully stacked with a payload. Integrating a new launch vehicle with new launch site ground systems poses many unique challenges. This paper summarizes the flight readiness process that led to the inaugural Heavy launch, including the wet dress rehearsals. This paper will also discuss the primary objectives as well as the flight observations. _____________________________ * Mission Integration Manager, Delta IV, 5301 Bolsa Ave., Huntington Beach, CA, MC H014-C462, AIAA Member † Director, USAF EELV Program, 5301 Bolsa Ave., Huntington Beach, CA, MC H014-C416 †† Vice President, Delta Programs, 5301 Bolsa Ave., Huntington Beach, CA, MC H014-C415, AIAA Member 1 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Space 2005 30 August 1 September 2005, Long Beach, California AIAA 2005-6707 Copyright © 2005 by The Boeing Company. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., with permission.