Launch
A Delta IV lifts off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station carrying the final Defense Satellite Communications satellite, DSCS III B6, August 29, 2003.
The Atlas V debuts in a commercial launch from Cape Canaveral in July 2003. Aerospace has worked closely with the Air Force and its contractors on the Atlas V and the Delta IV, the next generation launchers developed under the Air Force Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle, or EELV, program. |
Advanced Launch Vehicles
Aerospace supports evaluation of technical, cost, and financial implications of emerging military, civil, and commercial space launch systems and the missions that will drive the operational designs of these vehicles. One such program, the Force Application and Launch from Continental United States, or FALCON, program aims to develop a responsive launch vehicle and a Common Aero Vehicle or CAV. Aerospace has also provided developmental planning support for Operationally Responsive Spacelift, an initiative to ensure the Air Force has the capability to rapidly put payloads into orbit, maneuver spacecraft to any point in earth-centered space, and logistically support them on-orbit or return them to Earth. Aerospace is also supporting the Air Force in a demonstration program for the Affordable Responsive Spacelift (ARES) launch system, a concept developed to create a transformational spacelift capability for a wide range of payload classes and featuring a reusable fly-back booster with expendable upper stages.
Atlas II and III
The Atlas II and III programs provided launch vehicles capable of delivering medium-class payloads into low and geosynchronous transfer Earth orbits to support Defense Department and National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) mission requirements. Aerospace provided independent verification of performance, guidance software, loads, flight environments, and hardware pedigree for all military missions. The last launch of an Atlas from this family of vehicles was the Atlas III MLV-15 mission, which launched an NRO spacecraft in February 2005.
Centaur
During the 1990s numerous Atlas Centaurs were launched from Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg Air Force Base to support commercial, NASA, Air Force, and National Reconnaissance Office satellites, all supported by Aerospace. The first flight of the Titan IV version of the Centaur upper stage took place in 1994. Aerospace monitored preparations and participated in the resolution of technical issues. The Centaur is still being flown on the Atlas V.
Delta II
Delta II launch vehicles have been used to place Navstar Global Positioning System (GPS), NASA, National Reconnaissance Office, and commercial satellites into orbit. Aerospace provides launch readiness verification support to the Air Force and also provides hardware readiness support to NASA for some Delta II missions. The last use of the Delta II vehicle for the Air Force is expected in 2008 or 2009, depending upon GPS constellation needs.
Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV)
Aerospace teams were very involved in acquisition, development, and system verification efforts for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV), which provide military, civil and commercial users a significantly more flexible, less costly launch capability. The EELV program comprises two families of rockets—the Atlas V and the Delta IV—which provide modularity to accommodate light, medium, and heavy payloads for all users. The first EELV launch took place in 2003. The innovative Atlas V and Delta IV rockets will be the follow-on launch technology to replace the remaining “heritage” launch vehicles—the Titan IV, Atlas II and Delta II—as they are phased out by 2007.
Inertial Upper Stage (IUS)
Aerospace provided general systems engineering and oversight for the major development of the Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) vehicle. IUS provided the final boost stage for a variety of defense and NASA missions, including several interplanetary missions such as Galileo and Magellan. The last IUS mission was flown on a Titan IV vehicle and provided the propulsion to boost a defense satellite into its transfer orbit. The mission was successfully accomplished in February 2004.
Space Shuttle
During the 1980s and 1990s Aerospace provided mission planning and integration support for launches of the space shuttles Challenger, Columbia, Atlantis, Endeavor, and Discovery from NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center in Florida. We supported the Columbia accident investigation board during 2003 and NASA’s return-to-flight readiness plan for the shuttle fleet.
Titan II
Titan II launch vehicles were used to place satellites into orbit from Vandenberg Air Force Base. Aerospace provided independent verification of performance, guidance software, loads, flight environments, and hardware pedigree. The last Titan II was launched successfully in October 2003 with a payload for the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program.
Titan IV
Various evolutionary versions of heavy-lift Titan vehicles have been utilized in gaining access to space for Air Force payloads. These have included Titan 34D, Titan III, and Titan IV. Aerospace has participated in reviewing the design and development of these vehicles and provided launch readiness verification support to the Air Force. The Titan IVB vehicle, with upgraded avionics and solid rocket motors, was the final configuration. The last Titan mission was flown in October 2005.
