Boeing has been awarded a firm contract by the US Air Force to launch a second Defense Space Communications Satellite, DSCS 3-A3, aboard a Delta IV Medium booster in the second quarter 2003.
A Delta IV will carry another DSCS spacecraft in mid-2002 on the first USAF Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) mission. Boeing now has 18 Delta IVs scheduled for launches up to 2004, says Gale Schluter, vice president and general manager of Boeing Expendable Launch Vehicles.
Boeing has a contract with an unidentified customer to fly on the first Delta IV in May 2002 and has received permission from the USAF to sell the launch of the first Delta IV Heavy booster in late 2002 to a commercial customer. Three more launches are planned for that year, with the first DSCS to be followed by the first civil commercial launch, carrying the Estrela do Sul communications satellite.
The final launch of 2002 will be the demonstration flight of the Delta IV Heavy vehicle, which can place 23,000kg (50,700lb) into low Earth orbit. Up to five governmental and one commercial launch are booked for 2003, including the second DSCS. Eight launches are planned for 2004.
Source: Flight International
