List of Delta IV Medium launches explained

Since November 2002, rockets from the Delta IV Medium family have been launched 29 times, all of which were successful. Its last flight was with a 3rd generation GPS satellite in August 2019.

Delta IV Medium configurations

The Delta IV Medium (also referred to as 'single stick'[1] [2]) was available in four configurations: Medium, Medium+ (4,2), Medium+ (5,2), and Medium+ (5,4).[3]

To encapsulate the satellite payload, a variety of different payload fairings were available. A stretched Delta III 4-meter diameter composite payload fairing was used on 4-meter Medium versions, while an enlarged, 5-meter diameter composite fairing was used on 5-meter Medium versions.

The Medium (4,2) version last flew on 22 August 2019, marking the retirement of the Delta IV Medium variants.[5]

Launch Statistics

Customers

Launch History

Flight! scope="col"
Date / time (UTC)Rocket ConfigurationLaunch sitePayloadPayload massOrbitCustomerLaunch
outcome
1November 20, 2002
22:39
Delta IV Medium+ (4,2)CCAFS SLC-37BEutelsat W53,086 pounds (1,400 kilograms)GTOEutelsat[6]
First Delta IV launch, Commercial communications satellite
2March 11, 2003
00:59
Delta IV MediumCCAFS SLC-37BUSA-167 (DSCS-3 A3)GTOUS Air Force[7]
Military communications satellite, First Delta IV Medium launch, First USAF EELV mission
3August 29, 2003
23:13
Delta IV MediumCCAFS SLC-37BUSA-170 (DSCS-3 B6) GTOUS Air Force[8]
Military communications satellite
4May 24, 2006
22:11
Delta IV Medium+ (4,2)CCAFS SLC-37BGOES-N (GOES-13)6,908 pounds (3,133 kilograms)GTONASA/NOAA[9]
First Delta IV launch for NASA, Weather satellite
5June 28, 2006
03:33
Delta IV Medium+ (4,2) VAFB SLC-6NROL-22MolniyaUS NRO[10]
First Delta IV launch from Vandenberg, Reconnaissance satellite
6November 4, 2006
13:53
Delta IV MediumVAFB SLC-6DMSP F17SSODoD[11]
First Delta IV launch into a LEO/SSO, Military weather satellite
7June 27, 2009
22:51
Delta IV Medium+ (4,2)CCAFS SLC-37BGOES-O (GOES-14)6,908 pounds (3,133 kilograms)GTONASA/NOAA[12]
Weather satellite
8December 6, 2009
01:47
Delta IV Medium+ (5,4)CCAFS SLC-37BUSA-211 (WGS-3)13,199 pounds (5,987 kilograms)GTOUS Air Force[13]
First Delta IV Medium+ (5,4) launch, Communication satellite
94 March 2010
23:57
GOES-P (GOES-15)7,139 pounds (3,238 kilograms)GTONASA[14]
NOAA Weather satellite in the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) program. Replaced GOES-11 as the GOES West satellite.
1028 May 2010
03:00
Delta IV Medium+ (4,2)CCAFS SLC-37BUSA-213 (GPS IIF SV-1)3,594 pounds (1,630 kilograms)MEOUS Air Force[15]
Navigation satellite
1111 March 2011
23:38
Delta IV Medium+ (4,2)CCAFS SLC-37BUSA-227 (NROL-27)5,148 pounds (2335 kilogarms)GTOUS NRO
Military comsat.
1216 July 2011
06:41
Delta IV Medium+ (4,2)CCAFS SLC-37BUSA-232 (GPS IIF-2)3,594 pounds (1,630 kilograms)MEOUS Air Force[16]
Navigation satellite
1320 January 201200:38Delta IV Medium+ (5,4)CCAFS SLC-37BUSA-233 (WGS-4)13,199 pounds (5,987 kilogarms)GTOUS Air Force[17]
Military comsat
143 April 2012
23:12
Delta IV Medium+ (5,2)VAFB SLC-6USA-234 (NROL-25)LEOUS NRO[18]
First Delta IV Medium+ (5,2) launch, Reconnaissance satellite
154 October 2012
12:10
Delta IV Medium+ (4,2)CCAFS SLC-37BUSA-239 (GPS IIF-3)3,594 pounds (1,630 kilograms)MEOUS Air Force[19]
Upper stage anomaly,[20] Satellite navigation
1625 May 2013
00:27
Delta IV Medium+ (5,4)CCAFS SLC-37BUSA-243 (WGS-5)13,199 pounds (5,987 kilogarms)GTOUS Air Force[21]
Military comsat
178 August 2013
00:29
Delta IV Medium+ (5,4)CCAFS, SLC-37BUSA-244 (WGS-6)13,199 pounds (5,987 kilogarms)GTOUS Air Force[22]
Military comsat
1821 February 2014
01:59
Delta IV Medium+ (4,2)CCAFS SLC-37BUSA-248 (GPS IIF-5)3,594 pounds (1,630 kilograms)MEOUS Air Force[23]
25th Delta IV launch, Satellite navigation
1917 May 2014
00:03
Delta IV Medium+ (4,2)CCAFS SLC-37BUSA-251 (GPS IIF-6)3,594 pounds (1,630 kilograms)MEOUS Air Force[24]
Navigation satellite
2028 July 2014
23:28
Delta IV Medium+ (4,2)CCAFS SLC-37BUSA 253-255 (AFSPC-4 (GSSAP #1/#2/ANGELS))GEODoD/AFRL[25]
Space surveillance Technology demonstration
2125 March 2015
18:36
Delta IV Medium+ (4,2)CCAFS SLC-37BUSA-260 (GPS IIF-9)3,594 pounds (1,630 kilograms)MEOUS Air Force[26]
Final launch of baseline RS-68 engine,[27] Navigation satellite
2224 July 2015
00:07
Delta IV Medium+ (5,4)CCAFS SLC-37BUSA-263 (WGS-7)13,199 pounds (5,987 kilogarms)GTODoD[28]
Second flight with an RS-68A engine; New standard for Delta IV rockets, Military comsat
2310 February 2016, 11:40Delta IV Medium+ (5,2)VAFB SLC-6USA-267 (NROL-45)LEOUS NRO[29]
Reconnaissance satellite
2419 August 2016
04:52
Delta IV Medium+ (4,2)CCAFS SLC-37BUSA-270/271 (AFSPC-6 (GSSAP #3/#4))GEODoD[30]
Space surveillance satellite
257 December 201623:53Delta IV Medium+ (5,4)CCAFS SLC-37BUSA-272 (WGS-8)13,199 pounds (5,987 kilogarms)GTODoD[31]
Military comsat
2619 March 2017
00:18
Delta IV Medium+ (5,4)CCAFS SLC-37BUSA-275 (WGS-9)13,199 pounds (5,987 kilogarms)GTODoD[32]
Military comsat
2712 January 2018
22:11
Delta IV Medium+ (5,2)VAFB SLC-6USA-281 (NROL-47)LEOUS NRO[33]
Final flight of Delta IV M+(5,2) variant. Reconnaissance satellite.
2816 March 2019
00:26
Delta IV Medium+ (5,4)CCAFS, SLC-37BUSA-291 (WGS-10)13,199 pounds (5,987 kilogarms)GTODoD[34]
Final flight of Delta IV M+(5,4) variant. Military comsat.
2922 August 2019
13:06
Delta IV Medium+ (4,2)CCAFS, SLC-37BUSA-293 (GPS III-2)8,168 pounds (3,705 kilograms)MEOUS Air Force[35]
Final flight of Delta IV M+(4,2) variant. 3rd generation Global Positioning Satellite (GPS)

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Clark. Stephen. Final 'single stick' Delta 4-Medium rocket arrives at Florida launch pad – Spaceflight Now. 2020-11-01. en-US.
  2. Web site: Ray. Justin. Air Force assigns new Delta 4 rocket launch – Spaceflight Now. 2020-11-01. en-US.
  3. Web site: Gebhardt. Chris. 2019-08-22. Delta IV Medium's well-earned retirement with GPS finale. 2020-08-15. NASASpaceFlight.com.
  4. Web site: June 2013. Delta IV Launch Services User's Guide. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140710005717/http://www.ulalaunch.com/uploads/docs/Launch_Vehicles/Delta_IV_Users_Guide_June_2013.pdf. 2014-07-10. 2014-07-09. United Launch Alliance. 2–10, 5-3.
  5. Web site: Berger. Eric. 2019-08-22. The last single-stick Delta rocket launched Thursday, and it put on a show. 2020-08-06. Ars Technica.
  6. Web site: Boeing's Delta 4 rocket debuts successfully. November 20, 2002. Spaceflight Now.
  7. Web site: Delta 4 rocket successfully begins military service. March 10, 2003. Spaceflight Now.
  8. Web site: Delta 4 rocket delivers last Air Force DSCS satellite. August 29, 2003. Spaceflight Now.
  9. Web site: Weather observatory for Americas ascends to space. May 24, 2006. Spaceflight Now.
  10. Web site: New era of rocket launches begins at California base. June 27, 2006. Spaceflight Now.
  11. Web site: Military weather satellite rockets into polar orbit. November 4, 2006. Spaceflight Now.
  12. Web site: NASA and NOAA's GOES-O Satellite Successfully Launched . 2009-06-27 . NASA KSC . 2021-02-18 . 2009-06-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090629053451/http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/releases/2009/release-20090627.html . dead .
  13. Web site: New communications craft launched for U.S. military. Ray. Justin. 2009-12-05. Spaceflight Now. 2009-12-06.
  14. Web site: United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches NASA/NOAA Weather Satellite Mission. United Launch Alliance. 3 February 2013. 4 March 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/47. 7 December 2013. dead.
  15. Web site: ULA Marks Delta 50th Anniversary with Successful Delta IV GPS IIF SV-1 Launch. United Launch Alliance. 3 February 2013. 27 May 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/50. 7 December 2013. dead.
  16. Web site: United Launch Alliance Marks the 50th Successful GPS Launch for the Air Force with the Delivery of the GPS IIF-2 Mission to orbit. United Launch Alliance. 16 July 2011. 16 July 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/73/. 7 December 2013. dead.
  17. Web site: United Launch Alliance Delta IV Rocket Successfully Launches US Air Force's Wideband Global SATCOM-4 (WGS-4) Satellite. United Launch Alliance. 2 February 2013. 19 January 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/93/. 7 December 2013. dead.
  18. Web site: United Launch Alliance Delta IV Rocket Successfully Launches Payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. United Launch Alliance. 2 February 2013. 3 April 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/99/. 7 December 2013. dead.
  19. Web site: United Launch Alliance Delta IV Rocket Successfully Launches Global Positioning System Satellite for the U.S. Air Force. United Launch Alliance. 4 October 2012. 4 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/121/. 7 December 2013. dead.
  20. Web site: United Launch Alliance Provides Update to Global Positioning System Launch. United Launch Alliance. 7 October 2012. 5 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/122/. 7 December 2013. dead.
  21. Web site: United Launch Alliance Launches Second Successful Mission for U.S. Air Force in Just Nine Days. United Launch Alliance. 25 May 2013. 24 May 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/141/. 7 December 2013. dead.
  22. Web site: United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Second Wideband Global SATCOM Mission for U.S. Air Force in Less Than Three Months . United Launch Alliance. 8 August 2013. 8 August 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/150/. 7 December 2013. dead.
  23. Web site: United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches 25th Delta IV Mission Carrying Global Positioning System Satellite for the U.S. Air Force. United Launch Alliance. 21 February 2014. 21 February 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/167/. 7 December 2013. dead.
  24. Web site: United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Second Global Positioning System Satellite for the U.S. Air Force in Less Than Three Months. United Launch Alliance. 18 May 2014. 16 May 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140517151604/http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-successfully-launches-second-global.aspx?title=United+Launch+Alliance+Successfully+Launches+Second+Global+Positioning+System+Satellite+for+the+U.S.+Air+Force+in+Less+Than+Three+Months. 17 May 2014. dead.
  25. Web site: United Launch Alliance Marks 85th Successful Launch by Delivering Three Satellites into Orbit for the U.S. Air Force. United Launch Alliance. 29 July 2014. 29 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140805021058/http://www.ulalaunch.com/ULA-Delta-IV-Launches-AFSPC-4.aspx?title=United+Launch+Alliance+Marks+85th+Successful+Launch+by+Delivering+Three+Satellites+into+Orbit+for+the+U.S.+Air+Force+. 5 August 2014. dead.
  26. Web site: United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Second Mission in Less than Two Weeks. United Launch Alliance. 26 March 2015. 26 March 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20180112160114/http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-launches-gpsiif9-for-US-Air-Force.aspx?title=United+Launch+Alliance+Successfully+Launches+Second+Mission+in+Less+than+Two+Weeks. 12 January 2018. dead.
  27. Web site: Delta 4 rocket evolving to upgraded main engine. Spaceflight Now. 28 March 2015. 27 March 2015.
  28. Web site: United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches WGS-7. United Launch Alliance. 25 July 2015. 23 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20180112160116/http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-successfully-launches-wgs7.aspx. 12 January 2018. dead.
  29. Web site: United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches NROL-45 Payload for the National Reconnaissance Office. United Launch Alliance. 29 March 2016. 10 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20180112160138/http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-successfully-launches-nrol45.aspx?title=United+Launch+Alliance+Successfully+Launches+NROL-45+Payload+for+the+National+Reconnaissance+Office&Category=1. 12 January 2018. dead.
  30. Web site: United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches AFSPC6 Mission for the U.S. Air Force. 19 August 2016. United Launch Alliance. 19 August 2016.
  31. Web site: United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches WGS8 Mission for the U.S. Air Force. 7 December 2016. United Launch Alliance. 7 December 2016.
  32. Web site: Delta IV to Launch WGS-9 for the U.S. Air Force. 18 March 2017. United Launch Alliance. 18 November 2017.
  33. Web site: United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches NROL-47 Mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. 12 January 2018. United Launch Alliance. 12 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180113093321/http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-successfully-launches-nrol47-mission.aspx. 13 January 2018. dead.
  34. Web site: United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches WGS-10 Mission. 16 March 2019. United Launch Alliance. 16 March 2019.
  35. Web site: United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches GPS III Satellite for U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center. 22 August 2019. United Launch Alliance. 22 August 2019.