The arrival of
the Boeing Delta IV rocket at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), Calif.,
puts the U.S. Air Force one step closer to launching its first West
Coast Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) mission.
The Delta IV fairing and common booster core (CBC), which includes
the Rocketdyne RS-68 main engine, was transported aboard the M/V
Delta Mariner vessel from the Boeing rocket manufacturing plant in
Decatur, Ala., to Space Launch Complex 6 (SLC-6) at VAFB.
While at SLC-6, the CBC will be mated with the second stage and
launch-mate unit at the Horizontal Integration Facility, in preparation
for the launch of a satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office.
The mission, scheduled for the end of 2003, will be launched aboard
a Medium configuration of the vehicle that will include two solid
rocket motors to supplement the first stage engine.
Boeing is currently the only launch service provider that is conducting
EELV missions from the West Coast to meet U.S. Air Force requirements.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Integrated Defense Systems
is one of the world’s largest space and defense
businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated
Defense Systems is a $23 billion business. It provides
systems solutions to its global military, government,
and commercial customers. It is a leading provider
of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance;
the world’s largest military aircraft manufacturer;
the world’s largest satellite manufacturer and
a leading provider of space-based communications; the
primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense;
NASA’s largest contractor; and a global leader
in launch services.
