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Delta 4M

Launch vehicle · USA

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

Delta IV Medium
Delta IV Medium
Credit: © Mark Wade

American orbital launch vehicle. Basic Delta-4 vehicle with no strap-ons, the core vehicle, and RL10B-1 upper stage with a 4 m diameter payload fairing. World's first all-cryogenic launch vehicle.

LEO Payload: 8,600 kg (18,900 lb) to a 185 km orbit at 28.50 degrees. Payload: 3,900 kg (8,500 lb) to a GTO, 27 deg. Launch Price $: 133.000 million in 2004 dollars.

Stage Data - Delta IV Medium

  • Stage 1. 1 x Delta RS-68. Gross Mass: 226,400 kg (499,100 lb). Empty Mass: 26,760 kg (58,990 lb). Thrust (vac): 3,312.755 kN (744,737 lbf). Isp: 420 sec. Burn time: 249 sec. Isp(sl): 365 sec. Diameter: 5.10 m (16.70 ft). Span: 5.10 m (16.70 ft). Length: 40.80 m (133.80 ft). Propellants: Lox/LH2. No Engines: 1. Engine: RS-68. Status: In production. Comments: Low cost expendable stage using lower performance engine. Used in Delta 4, Boeing EELV. Engine can be throttled to 60%.
  • Stage 2. 1 x Delta 4 - 2. Gross Mass: 24,170 kg (53,280 lb). Empty Mass: 2,850 kg (6,280 lb). Thrust (vac): 110.050 kN (24,740 lbf). Isp: 462 sec. Burn time: 850 sec. Diameter: 2.44 m (8.00 ft). Span: 4.00 m (13.10 ft). Length: 12.00 m (39.00 ft). Propellants: Lox/LH2. No Engines: 1. Engine: RL-10B-2. Status: In production. Comments: Delta 3 second stage with hydrogen tank stretch.

More at: Delta 4M.

Related

Country
USA
Engines
RL-10B-2, RS-68
Projects
DMSP, DSCS
Agency
Douglas

Chronology

3 events

2003 March 11

00:59 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC37B. Launch Pad: SLC37B. LV Family: Delta IV. Launch Vehicle: Delta 4M.
  • USA 167 - . Payload: DSCS III A-3. Mass: 1,235 kg (2,722 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Program: DSCS. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: DSCS III. USAF Sat Cat: 27691 . COSPAR: 2003-008A. Apogee: 35,801 km (22,245 mi). Perigee: 35,773 km (22,228 mi). Inclination: 5.73 deg. Period: 1,436.12 min. First flight of a fully cryogenic orbital launch vehicle. Delayed from December 2001, February 2, 6, 8, 11, 12 and March 8 2003. Satellite mas 2,733 kg with kick stage..

2003 August 29

23:13 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC37B. Launch Pad: SLC37B. LV Family: Delta IV. Launch Vehicle: Delta 4M.
  • USA 170 - . Payload: DSCS-3-B6. Mass: 1,235 kg (2,722 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: DSCS III. USAF Sat Cat: 27875 . COSPAR: 2003-040A. Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Perigee: 35,781 km (22,233 mi). Inclination: 4.91 deg. Period: 1,436.07 min. Delayed from July 1, 11 and 23, then August 3 and 28..

2006 November 4

13:53 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC6. LV Family: Delta IV. Launch Vehicle: Delta 4M.
  • DMSP-Block-5D3-F17 - . Mass: 1,154 kg (2,544 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Program: DMSP. Class: Earth. Type: Weather satellite. Spacecraft Bus: TIROS N. Spacecraft: DMSP Block 5D-3. USAF Sat Cat: 29522 . COSPAR: 2006-050A. Apogee: 855 km (531 mi). Perigee: 841 km (522 mi). Inclination: 98.80 deg. Period: 101.90 min.

    Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellite with the Operational Linescan System camera, a microwave imager-sounder, ultraviolet spectrometers, particle detectors, a magnetometer, and a laser threat warning sensor. Reportedly went for a time into safe mode due to software problems after launch. The booster upper stage was conducted a maneuver to deorbit itself after placing the satellite in orbit. After the burn an explosion evidently occurred aboard the stage - dozens of objects were tracked in various orbits with perigees down to 670 km and apogees up to 851 km.