ACE is high with Delta deal

NASA HAS SELECTED the McDonnell Douglas Delta 2 to launch its Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) in August 1997, by exercising its option within the Medium Expendable Launch Vehicle Services (MELVS) contract with the company. This brings to 19 "firm NASA and commercial orders" for the Delta, says Richard Murphy, the company's director of NASA and Commercial Delta Programmes. Under the MELVS contract, the company has launched two satellites, the Geotail and Wind, and has seven remaining on the manifest, with six further options available to be exercised by NASA.

Source: Flight International