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Launch Vehicles
Volume 4, Number 1 (Winter 2003)
From the Editors
Headlines
The Path to Mission Success: The Aerospace Role in Launch Certification
The formal launch verification that Aerospace performs for the Air Force represents a fundamental part of the flight readiness certification for each mission.
Ballistic Missiles and Reentry Systems: The Critical Years
For nearly 20 years, Aerospace played a vital role in advancing the nation's strategic ballistic missile and reentry system capabilities.
A Stellar Rendezvous
The Gemini program brought two orbiting American spacecraft together for the first time—and Aerospace helped arrange the meeting.
A Complete Range of Launch Activities
The Eastern and Western launch ranges have a long and illustrious history—with a few chapters written by Aerospace.
The Air Force Space Shuttle Program: A Brief History
The Air Force had high hopes for its West Coast shuttle complex. But despite years of preparation, this state-of-the-art facility never saw a shuttle launch.
Medium Launch Vehicles for Satellite Delivery
Decommissioned as weapons systems, early ballistic missiles made a successful transition to the U.S. space program, providing vital medium-lift capacity for military and scientific missions.
Epic Proportions: The Titan Launch Vehicle
For decades, Titan boosters have provided unflagging medium and heavy launch capacity for critical military payloads.
Evolution of the Inertial Upper Stage
Though initially conceived as a short-term program, the Inertial Upper Stage played a critical role in ensuring U.S. access to upper orbits and beyond.
The Launch Verification Process
An impartial and comprehensive system review verifies the flightworthiness of a launch vehicle and instills confidence in ultimate mission success.
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