The Delta IV Heavy consists of a central Common Booster Core (CBC), with two additional CBCs as liquid rocket boosters instead of the GEM-60solid rocket motors used by the Delta IV Medium+ versions. At lift off, all three cores operate at full thrust, and 44 seconds later the center core throttles down to 55% to conserve fuel until booster separation. The boosters burn out at 242 seconds after launch and are separated as the core booster throttles back up to full thrust. The core burns out 86 seconds later, and the second stage completes the ascent to orbit.[3]
The launch vehicle uses three RS-68 engines, one in the central core and one in each booster.[8] On the last seconds of countdown, the hydrogen fuel flows through the engines and upwards along the booster body, and after the ignition that hydrogen inflames, making the characteristic fireball and charred look of the booster.[9]
The Delta IV line of rockets was developed by McDonnell Douglas. The program was later transferred to United Launch Alliance. The Delta IV Heavy is the most powerful member of the line, which also includes the smaller Delta IV Medium.[10] The Delta IV Heavy can lift 28,370 kg (62,550 lb) to low Earth orbit and 13,810 kg (30,450 lb) to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).[10] It is an all liquid-fueled launch vehicle, consisting of an upper stage, one main booster and two strap-on boosters.[10]
The first launch of the Delta IV Heavy in 2004 carried a boilerplate payload and was a partial failure. Cavitation in the liquid-oxygen propellant lines caused shutdown of both boosters eight seconds early, and the core engine nine seconds early; this resulted in a lower staging velocity for which the second stage was unable to compensate. The payload was left in a lower than intended orbit.[11] Its first operational payload was the DSP-23 satellite, successfully launched in 2007; it was then used to launch a further five visual and electronic reconnaissance satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) through 2013.
In December 2014, the Delta IV Heavy was used to launch an un-crewed test flight of the Orion spacecraft, designated Exploration Flight Test 1 (EFT-1). After several delays, the mission was successfully launched at 12:05 UTC on 5 December 2014.[12]
On 12 August 2018, the Delta IV Heavy with an additional Star 48BV third stage was used to launch the Parker Solar Probe into an elliptical heliocentric orbit.[13] In May 2023, the final Delta IV Heavy core and boosters finished construction, officially ending Delta IV production and making way for the Vulcan launch vehicle.[14]
The Delta IV Heavy's total mass at launch is approximately 733,000 kg (1,616,000 lb) and produce around 952,000 kg (2,099,000 lb) of thrust to power the rocket skyward at liftoff.[18]
Missions thirteen through sixteen were announced by the National Reconnaissance Office.[24] For the final four missions (13-16) including modifications, ULA was awarded US$2.2 billion, or US$440 million per launch.[25] This can be compared with the Falcon Heavy launch price of $90M to $150M. As of June 2023[update], only one remains before ULA retires the Delta IV Heavy.[23]
^The officially reported mass of 21,000 kg includes the Launch Abort System (LAS) which did not reach orbit, but excludes the residual mass of the upper stage, which did reach orbit, likely offsetting the mass of the LAS.
^"ULA CEO Tory Bruno". twitter.com. Retrieved 12 February 2018. Delta IV Heavy goes for about US$350M. That's current and future, after the retirement of both Delta IV Medium and Delta II.
^"Delta IV Heavy". Spaceflight 101. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
^ ab(PDF). United Launch Alliance. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 July 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
^"Mission Status Center". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 26 July 2014. The ULA Delta 4-Heavy is currently the world's largest rocket, providing the nation with reliable, proven, heavy lift capability for our country's national security payloads from both the east and west coasts.
^Chang, Kenneth (6 February 2018). "Falcon Heavy, SpaceX's Big New Rocket, Succeeds in Its First Test Launch". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 February 2018. The Falcon Heavy is capable of lifting 140,000 pounds to low Earth orbit, more than any other rocket today.
^"Boeing Delta IV Heavy Achieves Major Test Objectives in First Flight" 19 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Boeing, 2004, accessed 22 March 2012
^Erwin, Sandra (24 August 2020). "ULA to launch Delta 4 Heavy for its 12th mission, four more to go before rocket is retired". SpaceNews. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
^"Delta 4-Heavy likely heading for geosynchronous orbit with top secret payload". Spaceflight Now. 26 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
^Eric Berger (21 January 2019). "This massive rocket creates a fireball as it launches, and that's by design". Ars Technica. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
^ abc"Delta IV Heavy: Powerful Launch Vehicle". Space.com. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
^"Second Stage Ignites as First Stage Falls Away". 5 December 2014. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^"Delta IV Parker Solar Probe". ulalaunch.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
^"ULA's Delta rocket assembly line falls silent – Spaceflight Now".
^ abc(PDF). United Launch Alliance. 4 June 2013. pp. 2–10, 5–3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 October 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
^"Delta IV Data Sheet". Space Launch Report. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
^Ray, Justin (7 December 2004). . Spaceflight Now. Archived from the original on 11 December 2004. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
^"Live coverage: Launch of Delta 4-Heavy rocket set for early Saturday". Spaceflight Now. 29 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
^ abcKrebs, Gunter. "Delta-4". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
^"NASA Orion Exploration Flight Test-1 PRESS KIT" (PDF). NASA. December 2014. p. 12. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^"Launch Schedule". Spaceflight Now. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
^"Launch Mission Execution Forecast". 45th Weather Squadron - Patrick Air Force Base. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^ abClark, Stephen (22 June 2023). "Delta 4-Heavy rocket lifts off with NRO spy satellite". Spaceflightnow. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
^Ray, Justin (7 June 2016). "Surveillance satellite launching Thursday atop Delta IV Heavy rocket". Spaceflight Now.
^"Air Force awards ULA US$1.18 billion contract to complete five Delta IV Heavy NRO missions". spacenews.com. 30 September 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
^"NSSL Phase 3 - Industry Day". Space Systems Command. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
External links
Delta IV Booster Integration Another Step Toward First Orion Flight
August 19, 2023
delta, heavy, delta, 9250h, expendable, heavy, lift, launch, vehicle, largest, type, delta, family, world, third, highest, capacity, launch, vehicle, operation, behind, nasa, space, launch, system, spacex, falcon, heavy, closely, followed, casc, long, march, m. The Delta IV Heavy Delta 9250H is an expendable heavy lift launch vehicle the largest type of the Delta IV family It is the world s third highest capacity launch vehicle in operation behind NASA s Space Launch System and SpaceX s Falcon Heavy and closely followed by CASC s Long March 5 4 5 It is manufactured by United Launch Alliance ULA and was first launched in 2004 6 ULA will retire the Delta IV Heavy in 2024 7 As of June 2023 update one flight remains Delta IV HeavyDelta IV Heavy launches from Vandenberg Air Force BaseFunctionOrbital heavy lift launch vehicleManufacturerUnited Launch AllianceCountry of originUnited StatesCost per launchUS 350 million 1 NRO US 440 millionSizeHeight72 m 236 ft Diameter5 m 16 ft Width15 m 49 ft Mass733 000 kg 1 616 000 lb Stages2 CapacityPayload to LEOMass28 790 kg 63 470 lb Payload to GTOMass14 220 kg 31 350 lb Associated rocketsFamilyDeltaComparableLong March 5 Falcon Heavy Proton MLaunch historyStatusProduction endedLaunch sitesCape Canaveral SLC 37B Vandenberg SLC 6Total launches15Success es 14Partial failure s 1First flight21 December 2004 USA 181 Last flight22 June 2023 NROL 68 Type of passengers cargoEFT 1 NRO classified payloads Kennen Orion Parker Solar ProbeBoosters CBC No boosters2Height40 8 m 134 ft Diameter5 1 m 17 ft Empty mass26 000 kg 57 000 lb Gross mass226 400 kg 499 100 lb Propellant mass200 400 kg 441 800 lb 2 Powered by1 RS 68AMaximum thrust3 140 kN 710 000 lbf Total thrust6 280 kN 1 410 000 lbf Specific impulseSea level 360 s 3 5 km s Vacuum 412 s 4 04 km s Burn time242 seconds 3 PropellantLH2 LOXFirst stage CBC Height40 8 m 134 ft Diameter5 1 m 17 ft Gross mass226 400 kg 499 100 lb Propellant mass200 400 kg 441 800 lb Powered by1 RS 68AMaximum thrust3 140 kN 710 000 lbf Specific impulseSea level 360 s 3 5 km s Vacuum 412 s 4 04 km s Burn time328 secondsPropellantLH2 LOXSecond stage DCSS Height13 7 m 45 ft Diameter5 1 m 17 ft Gross mass30 700 kg 67 700 lb Propellant mass27 220 kg 60 010 lb Powered by1 RL10 B 2Maximum thrust110 kN 25 000 lbf Specific impulse462 s 4 53 km s Burn time1125 secondsPropellantLH2 LOX edit on Wikidata The Delta IV Heavy consists of a central Common Booster Core CBC with two additional CBCs as liquid rocket boosters instead of the GEM 60 solid rocket motors used by the Delta IV Medium versions At lift off all three cores operate at full thrust and 44 seconds later the center core throttles down to 55 to conserve fuel until booster separation The boosters burn out at 242 seconds after launch and are separated as the core booster throttles back up to full thrust The core burns out 86 seconds later and the second stage completes the ascent to orbit 3 The launch vehicle uses three RS 68 engines one in the central core and one in each booster 8 On the last seconds of countdown the hydrogen fuel flows through the engines and upwards along the booster body and after the ignition that hydrogen inflames making the characteristic fireball and charred look of the booster 9 Contents 1 History 2 Capabilities 3 Launch history 3 1 Future launches 4 Comparable vehicles 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksHistory Edit Delta IV Heavy for Exploration Flight Test 1The Delta IV line of rockets was developed by McDonnell Douglas The program was later transferred to United Launch Alliance The Delta IV Heavy is the most powerful member of the line which also includes the smaller Delta IV Medium 10 The Delta IV Heavy can lift 28 370 kg 62 550 lb to low Earth orbit and 13 810 kg 30 450 lb to geostationary transfer orbit GTO 10 It is an all liquid fueled launch vehicle consisting of an upper stage one main booster and two strap on boosters 10 The first launch of the Delta IV Heavy in 2004 carried a boilerplate payload and was a partial failure Cavitation in the liquid oxygen propellant lines caused shutdown of both boosters eight seconds early and the core engine nine seconds early this resulted in a lower staging velocity for which the second stage was unable to compensate The payload was left in a lower than intended orbit 11 Its first operational payload was the DSP 23 satellite successfully launched in 2007 it was then used to launch a further five visual and electronic reconnaissance satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office NRO through 2013 In December 2014 the Delta IV Heavy was used to launch an un crewed test flight of the Orion spacecraft designated Exploration Flight Test 1 EFT 1 After several delays the mission was successfully launched at 12 05 UTC on 5 December 2014 12 On 12 August 2018 the Delta IV Heavy with an additional Star 48BV third stage was used to launch the Parker Solar Probe into an elliptical heliocentric orbit 13 In May 2023 the final Delta IV Heavy core and boosters finished construction officially ending Delta IV production and making way for the Vulcan launch vehicle 14 Capabilities EditCapacity of the Delta IV Heavy Low Earth orbit LEO 200 km 28 7 28 790 kg 63 470 lb 15 Low Earth orbit ISS 407 km 51 6 25 980 kg 57 280 lb 16 Geosynchronous transfer orbit GTO 14 220 kg 31 350 lb 15 Geosynchronous orbit GEO 6 750 kg 14 880 lb 15 Lunar transfer orbit LTO 10 000 kg 22 000 lb Mars transfer orbit 8 000 kg 18 000 lb 17 The Delta IV Heavy s total mass at launch is approximately 733 000 kg 1 616 000 lb and produce around 952 000 kg 2 099 000 lb of thrust to power the rocket skyward at liftoff 18 Launch history EditThis section is transcluded from List of Delta IV Heavy launches edit history Flight Date Payload 19 Mass Launch site Outcome 19 1 21 December 2004 DemoSat Sparkie 3CS 1 and Ralphie 3CS 2 13 228 pounds 6000 kilograms Cape Canaveral SLC 37B Partial failure a 2 11 November 2007 DSP 23 Defense Support Program 11 574 pounds 5 250 kilograms Cape Canaveral SLC 37B Success3 18 January 2009 Orion 6 Mentor 4 USA 202 NROL 26 Classified Cape Canaveral SLC 37B Success4 21 November 2010 Orion 7 Mentor 5 USA 223 NROL 32 Classified Cape Canaveral SLC 37B Success5 20 January 2011 KH 11 Kennen 15 USA 224 NROL 49 lt 37 479 pounds 17 000 kilograms Vandenberg SLC 6 Success6 29 June 2012 Orion 8 Mentor 6 USA 237 NROL 15 Classified Cape Canaveral SLC 37B Success7 26 August 2013 KH 11 Kennen 16 USA 245 NROL 65 lt 37 479 pounds 17 000 kilograms Vandenberg SLC 6 Success8 5 December 2014 Orion Exploration Flight Test 1 EFT 1 46 297 pounds 21 000 kilograms 20 b Cape Canaveral SLC 37B Success9 11 June 2016 Orion 9 Mentor 7 USA 268 NROL 37 Classified Cape Canaveral SLC 37B Success10 12 August 2018 Parker Solar Probe c 1 510 pounds 685 kilograms Cape Canaveral SLC 37B Success11 19 January 2019 NROL 71 Classified Vandenberg SLC 6 Success12 11 December 2020 Orion 10 Mentor 8 USA 268 NROL 44 21 22 Classified Cape Canaveral SLC 37B Success13 26 April 2021 KH 11 Kennen 17 NROL 82 Classified Vandenberg SLC 6 Success14 24 September 2022 KH 11 Kennen 18 NROL 91 Classified Vandenberg SLC 6 Success15 22 June 2023 Orion 11 Mentor 9 NROL 68 23 Classified Cape Canaveral SLC 37B SuccessFuture launches Edit Missions thirteen through sixteen were announced by the National Reconnaissance Office 24 For the final four missions 13 16 including modifications ULA was awarded US 2 2 billion or US 440 million per launch 25 This can be compared with the Falcon Heavy launch price of 90M to 150M As of June 2023 update only one remains before ULA retires the Delta IV Heavy 23 Flight Date Launch site Payload 19 Mass Orbit Customer Launchoutcome16 1 March 2024 26 CCSFS SLC 37B NROL 70 Classified GEO US NRO PlannedReconnaissance satellite final flight of the Delta rocket family CBCs underperformed lower orbit than planned The officially reported mass of 21 000 kg includes the Launch Abort System LAS which did not reach orbit but excludes the residual mass of the upper stage which did reach orbit likely offsetting the mass of the LAS Star 48BV upper stageComparable vehicles EditCurrent Long March 5 geostationary transfer orbit Long March 5B low Earth orbit Long March 7A geostationary transfer orbit Falcon Heavy Proton MIn development Angara A5 Ariane 6 New Glenn Vulcan CentaurRetired or cancelled Ariane 5 retired Atlas V Heavy proposed never developed Saturn IB retired Titan III retired Titan IV retired See also Edit Spaceflight portalHeavy lift launch vehicle Comparison of orbital launch systems Comparison of orbital rocket engines Comparison of space station cargo vehicles National Launch System 1991 1993 studyReferences Edit ULA CEO Tory Bruno twitter com Retrieved 12 February 2018 Delta IV Heavy goes for about US 350M That s current and future after the retirement of both Delta IV Medium and Delta II Delta IV Heavy Spaceflight 101 Retrieved 26 July 2014 a b Delta IV Payload Planner s Guide June 2013 PDF United Launch Alliance Archived from the original PDF on 10 July 2014 Retrieved 26 July 2014 Mission Status Center Spaceflight Now Retrieved 26 July 2014 The ULA Delta 4 Heavy is currently the world s largest rocket providing the nation with reliable proven heavy lift capability for our country s national security payloads from both the east and west coasts Chang Kenneth 6 February 2018 Falcon Heavy SpaceX s Big New Rocket Succeeds in Its First Test Launch The New York Times Retrieved 6 February 2018 The Falcon Heavy is capable of lifting 140 000 pounds to low Earth orbit more than any other rocket today Boeing Delta IV Heavy Achieves Major Test Objectives in First Flight Archived 19 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine Boeing 2004 accessed 22 March 2012 Erwin Sandra 24 August 2020 ULA to launch Delta 4 Heavy for its 12th mission four more to go before rocket is retired SpaceNews Retrieved 29 August 2020 Delta 4 Heavy likely heading for geosynchronous orbit with top secret payload Spaceflight Now 26 August 2020 Retrieved 27 August 2020 Eric Berger 21 January 2019 This massive rocket creates a fireball as it launches and that s by design Ars Technica Retrieved 13 April 2023 a b c Delta IV Heavy Powerful Launch Vehicle Space com Retrieved 21 July 2018 Delta 4 Heavy investigation identifies rocket s problem Spaceflight Now Retrieved 26 July 2014 Second Stage Ignites as First Stage Falls Away 5 December 2014 This article incorporates text from this source which is in the public domain Delta IV Parker Solar Probe ulalaunch com Retrieved 11 December 2020 ULA s Delta rocket assembly line falls silent Spaceflight Now a b c Delta IV Launch Services User s Guide June 2013 PDF United Launch Alliance 4 June 2013 pp 2 10 5 3 Archived from the original PDF on 14 October 2013 Retrieved 31 October 2020 Delta IV Data Sheet Space Launch Report Retrieved 26 July 2014 Ray Justin 7 December 2004 The Heavy Triple sized Delta 4 rocket to debut Spaceflight Now Archived from the original on 11 December 2004 Retrieved 13 May 2014 Live coverage Launch of Delta 4 Heavy rocket set for early Saturday Spaceflight Now 29 August 2020 Retrieved 29 August 2020 a b c Krebs Gunter Delta 4 Gunter s Space Page Retrieved 15 March 2018 NASA Orion Exploration Flight Test 1 PRESS KIT PDF NASA December 2014 p 12 This article incorporates text from this source which is in the public domain Launch Schedule Spaceflight Now 27 October 2020 Retrieved 31 October 2020 Launch Mission Execution Forecast 45th Weather Squadron Patrick Air Force Base 30 October 2020 Retrieved 31 October 2020 This article incorporates text from this source which is in the public domain a b Clark Stephen 22 June 2023 Delta 4 Heavy rocket lifts off with NRO spy satellite Spaceflightnow Retrieved 27 June 2023 Ray Justin 7 June 2016 Surveillance satellite launching Thursday atop Delta IV Heavy rocket Spaceflight Now Air Force awards ULA US 1 18 billion contract to complete five Delta IV Heavy NRO missions spacenews com 30 September 2019 Retrieved 3 June 2020 NSSL Phase 3 Industry Day Space Systems Command 20 July 2023 Retrieved 24 July 2023 External links EditDelta IV Booster Integration Another Step Toward First Orion Flight Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Delta IV Heavy amp 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