Delta 4 + SeaLaunch = Delta 5?

"Colonel K" wrote in message
om...

"Dholmes" wrote in message
...
The solids on Delta are very underpowered. The ones on Atlas have over
twice
as much fuel.
Delta 2 uses up to 9 I can see no reason Delta 4 could not as well.
A pair of reusable solids about half the size of the shuttles for both
Atlas
and Delta could prove interesting.
The question is would it be cheaper.
Delta's main engine makes a killer second stage for a very large rocket.
Another option would be to use slightly shortened Deltas, 3 at launch
and
one as a second stage. but kerosene do seem to work best as a booster
stage.

Delta IV was not structurally designed to handle 9 solids, and can't be
refitted for more than 4 without major redesign. One "small" obstacle is
the
pair of T-0 umbilical panels that occupy the north side of the vehicle.
Boeing could probably show you some studies that indicate the market
didn't
require any more than 4 solids (I'm not saying they're correct, just that
they no doubt have them).


Thanks, I laways wondered why they stopped at 4.
Good news is that doers not stop them from using 2 large solids in a Delta
Heavy type set up.
Assuming that it would be cheaper.