A Boeing [NYSE: BA] Delta IV rocket successfully
delivered to space on Monday the DSCS III A3 communications satellite for
the U.S. Air Force Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program.

The satellite will provide defense officials and battlefield commanders with
secure-voice and high data rate communications, along with transmitting
space communications and early warning data to key government systems and
users.

“This was a terrific team effort,” said Will Trafton, vice president and
general manager, Boeing Expendable Launch Systems. “The Delta, EELV and DSCS
teams did a very professional job of pulling this mission together. We’re
just so pleased that Boeing has contributed to the success of this mission
for the Department of Defense and for our men and women in uniform around
the world.”

Results from initial data reviews show the orbital insertion of the DSCS III
A3 satellite by the Delta IV Medium launch vehicle was right on target, well
within the mission requirements and predicted accuracy. The apogee and
perigee altitudes of the spacecraft after separation were within 15 and 1.2
nautical miles of target, respectively, and the orbit inclination angle was
exactly as targeted.

“The accuracy of this launch will contribute to the longevity of the DSCS
satellite lifespan,” said Dan Collins, vice president and Delta program
director. “We’re proud to be a part of the U.S. Air Force efforts and will
continue to support the EELV team to the best of our ability.”

“It was an absolutely spectacular launch,” said Col. Susan Mashiko, director
of the U.S. Air Force EELV program. “In terms of national security and
national security payloads, it couldn’t have come at a better time.”

The Delta IV carrying DSCS III A3 also carried four on-board cameras, which
enabled the Air Force and Delta launch teams to view spacecraft separation
of a DSCS satellite for the very first time.

“It was really spectacular to see the satellite separate,” said Christine
Anderson, Military Satellite Communications Program Director for the Air
Force. “We have never seen that – it was the first time we’ve had a camera
taking pictures. It was super.”

The Delta IV lifted off at 7:59 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 37B at
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The Boeing Delta engineering team
will continue to review all flight data in the coming weeks in preparation
for the next Delta IV flight, which is the second U.S. Air Force EELV
program mission, DSCS III B6.

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.