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]
The Delta 4 Medium family often flew with Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites. It flew 6 second generation Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites to orbit. After the second generation Global Positioning System (GPS) had all been launched, it launch a third generation Global Positioning System (GPS) only it final flight. The Medium (4,2) version last flew on 22 August 2019, marking the retirement of the Delta IV Medium variants.[3][4]
Delta 4 Medium launch carrying DSCS III-B6. | |
Function | Orbital launch vehicle |
---|---|
Manufacturer | United Launch Alliance |
Country of origin | United States |
Cost per launch | US$164+ million[5] |
Size | |
Height | 63–72 m (207–236 ft) |
Diameter | 5 m (16 ft) |
Mass | 550,000 lb (250,000 kg) |
Stages | 2 |
Capacity | |
Payload to LEO | 25,287 lb (11,470 kg) |
Payload to GTO | 9,799 lb (4,445 kg) |
Associated rockets | |
Family | Delta Delta 4 Medium |
Comparable | |
Launch history | |
Status | Retired |
Launch sites | SLC-37B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station SLC-6, Vandenberg Air Force Base |
Total launches | 3 |
Successes | 3 |
First flight | 20 November 2002 (Eutelsat W5) |
Last flight | November 4, 2006 (DMSP 17) |
Notable payloads | |
First stage – CBC | |
Gross mass | 226,400 kg (499,100 lb) |
Engines | 1 RS-68A |
Thrust | 3,140 kN (705,000 lbf) (sea level) |
Specific impulse | Sea level: 360 s (3.5 km/s) Vacuum: 412 s (4.04 km/s) |
Burn time | 245 seconds (328 seconds in Heavy configuration) |
Fuel | LH2 / LOX |
Second stage – Delta Cryogenic Second Stage (DCSS) | |
Gross mass | 4-m: 24,170 kg (53,290 lb) 5-m: 30,700 kg (67,700 lb) |
Engines | 1 RL10-B-2 |
Thrust | 110 kN (25,000 lbf) |
Specific impulse | 462 s (4.53 km/s) |
Burn time | 850-1,125 seconds |
Fuel | LH2 / LOX |
Script error: No such module "Chart".
Script error: No such module "Chart".
Script error: No such module "Chart".
Script error: No such module "Chart".
Flight | Date / time (UTC) | Rocket Configuration | Launch site | Payload | Payload mass | Orbit | Customer | Launch
outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | March 11, 2003
00:59 |
Delta 4-M | CCAFS SLC-37B | USA-167 (DSCS-3 A3) | Classified | GTO | US Air Force | Success[6] |
Military communications satellite, First Delta 4 Medium launch, First USAF EELV mission | ||||||||
2 | August 29, 2003
23:13 |
Delta 4-M | CCAFS SLC-37B | USA-170 (DSCS-3 B6) | Classified | GTO | US Air Force | Success[6] |
Military communications satellite | ||||||||
3 | November 4, 2006
13:53 |
Delta 4-M | VAFB SLC-6 | DMSP F17 | Classified | SSO | DoD | Success[7] |
First Delta 4 launch into a LEO/SSO, Military weather satellite. Final Delta 4-M launch. |