ULA Delta IV Heavy
The ULA Delta IV Heavy is a powerful expendable launch system developed by United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture between Boeing and Lockheed Martin. This rocket is part of the Delta IV family, which is known for its reliability and capacity to deliver payloads into various orbits.
History and Development
Design and Capabilities
- The Delta IV Heavy uses three common booster cores (CBCs), which are essentially complete Delta IV Medium rockets strapped together to form a single launch vehicle. Each core has its own RS-68 engine, making a total of three engines at the base.
- It can lift up to 28,790 kg (63,470 lbs) to low Earth orbit (LEO) and approximately 14,220 kg (31,350 lbs) to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).
- The rocket stands at about 70 meters (230 feet) tall and has a diameter of 5 meters (16 feet).
Notable Missions
- Dawn: Launched in 2007, this mission explored Vesta and Ceres, two of the largest objects in the asteroid belt.
- Parker Solar Probe: Launched in 2018, this mission aims to study the Sun's corona and solar wind.
- Orion Exploration Flight Test 1 (EFT-1): In 2014, the Delta IV Heavy launched NASA's Orion spacecraft on its first test flight beyond low Earth orbit.
Future and Legacy
- ULA plans to phase out the Delta IV Heavy in favor of the new Vulcan Centaur rocket, which promises cost savings and increased performance.
- Despite its planned retirement, the Delta IV Heavy has established a legacy for its high reliability and capacity, making it a go-to choice for critical national security payloads and high-value scientific missions.
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