Boeing Rolls Out Heavy Lifting Delta IV

Boeing [NYSE: BA] officials announced Wednesday the successful rollout and vehicle erection of the first Delta IV heavy launcher at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The mission is scheduled for summer 2004.

The Delta IV heavy rocket is the largest expendable launch vehicle in the United States and is the largest of the Boeing Delta family of launch vehicles. It is configured with three common booster cores joined together and can lift up to 13,130 kilograms (28,950 pounds) to geosynchronous transfer orbit. When fully stacked with a payload on board, the vehicle will measure 71.7 meters (235 feet) in height. A five-meter upper stage sits on top of the core CBC, and has the capability of carrying either single or multiple payloads.