Jacques van Oene
April 30th 05, 09:18 AM
Boeing Dedicates Delta IV West Coast Launch Site
ST. LOUIS, April 28, 2005 - Boeing [NYSE: BA] marked the official opening of
its new Space Launch Complex 6 (SLC-6) facility April 27 at a dedication
ceremony held at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), Calif.
SLC-6 is the new West Coast launch site for the Boeing Delta IV family of
launch vehicles supporting the U.S. Air Force Evolved Expendable Launch
Vehicle (EELV) program. The site will provide the Air Force the strategic
capability to launch national security satellites to polar, Sun-synchronous
and high inclination orbits.
The completion of SLC-6 marks the final installment of Boeing's fulfillment
of the EELV program's three requirements for assured access to space having
developed an American main engine (RS-68), a heavy-lift vehicle (Delta IV
Heavy), and East/West Coast launch sites (SLC-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station, Fla., and SLC-6).
"The completion of SLC-6 is a great achievement by our company, our Delta
team, and for our launch customers. SLC-6 provides our nation with increased
launch capability from the West Coast, combined with our successful launch
capability on the East Coast. I'm proud of our Delta team's accomplishment
activating this new launch site, and we're looking forward to the first
Delta IV launch from SLC-6 later this year," said Dan Collins, vice
president, Boeing Expendable Launch Systems.
On hand for the dedication was George Muellner, vice president and general
manager, Boeing Air Force Systems; Lt. Gen. Brian Arnold, Commander of the
Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center; Col. Frank Gallegos, Commander
of the Air Force 30th Space Wing; and Lt. Col. Walt Lauderdale, commander of
the National Reconnaissance Office at Vandenberg.
The 132-acre complex features structures similar to Boeing's Delta IV launch
site in Florida, SLC-37, with a Fixed Umbilical Tower (FUT), Mobile Service
Tower (MST), Fixed Pad Erector, Launch Control Center/Operations Building
and a Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF). SLC-6 also features a Mobile
Assembly Shelter (MAS) that protects the rocket from weather conditions at
the pad.
The SLC-6 development project included the placement of a 650-ton concrete
launch table where the rocket stands. Renovation and modifications were made
to the pad's MST, MAS and FUT. The FUT features a 180-foot tall lightening
tower on top of the structure and will use three swing arms that attach to
the launch vehicle. The MST, which rolls up to the vehicle and encloses it
during preparation, features multi-level moveable platforms allowing
technicians 360-degree access to the rocket.
SLC-6 can support all five configurations of the Delta IV rocket family
including the Delta IV Heavy.
The first launch from SLC-6 is planned for this summer. A Delta IV Medium+
vehicle will fly a National Reconnaissance Office mission, NROL-22.
The Boeing Delta IV is produced at the Boeing Delta factory in Decatur, Ala.
The RS-68 is produced at Rocketdyne in Canoga Park, Calif. Delta vehicle
processing and launch operations are located in Florida and California. The
Boeing Delta program is headquartered in Huntington Beach, Calif.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of
the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St.
Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $30.5 billion business. It
provides network-centric system solutions to its global military,
government, and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest
military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer
and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems
integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global
leader in sustainment solutions and launch services.
###
Contact:
Robert Villanueva
Boeing Expendable Launch Systems
(714) 372-2089 Office
--
--------------
Jacques :-)
www.spacepatches.info
ST. LOUIS, April 28, 2005 - Boeing [NYSE: BA] marked the official opening of
its new Space Launch Complex 6 (SLC-6) facility April 27 at a dedication
ceremony held at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), Calif.
SLC-6 is the new West Coast launch site for the Boeing Delta IV family of
launch vehicles supporting the U.S. Air Force Evolved Expendable Launch
Vehicle (EELV) program. The site will provide the Air Force the strategic
capability to launch national security satellites to polar, Sun-synchronous
and high inclination orbits.
The completion of SLC-6 marks the final installment of Boeing's fulfillment
of the EELV program's three requirements for assured access to space having
developed an American main engine (RS-68), a heavy-lift vehicle (Delta IV
Heavy), and East/West Coast launch sites (SLC-37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station, Fla., and SLC-6).
"The completion of SLC-6 is a great achievement by our company, our Delta
team, and for our launch customers. SLC-6 provides our nation with increased
launch capability from the West Coast, combined with our successful launch
capability on the East Coast. I'm proud of our Delta team's accomplishment
activating this new launch site, and we're looking forward to the first
Delta IV launch from SLC-6 later this year," said Dan Collins, vice
president, Boeing Expendable Launch Systems.
On hand for the dedication was George Muellner, vice president and general
manager, Boeing Air Force Systems; Lt. Gen. Brian Arnold, Commander of the
Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center; Col. Frank Gallegos, Commander
of the Air Force 30th Space Wing; and Lt. Col. Walt Lauderdale, commander of
the National Reconnaissance Office at Vandenberg.
The 132-acre complex features structures similar to Boeing's Delta IV launch
site in Florida, SLC-37, with a Fixed Umbilical Tower (FUT), Mobile Service
Tower (MST), Fixed Pad Erector, Launch Control Center/Operations Building
and a Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF). SLC-6 also features a Mobile
Assembly Shelter (MAS) that protects the rocket from weather conditions at
the pad.
The SLC-6 development project included the placement of a 650-ton concrete
launch table where the rocket stands. Renovation and modifications were made
to the pad's MST, MAS and FUT. The FUT features a 180-foot tall lightening
tower on top of the structure and will use three swing arms that attach to
the launch vehicle. The MST, which rolls up to the vehicle and encloses it
during preparation, features multi-level moveable platforms allowing
technicians 360-degree access to the rocket.
SLC-6 can support all five configurations of the Delta IV rocket family
including the Delta IV Heavy.
The first launch from SLC-6 is planned for this summer. A Delta IV Medium+
vehicle will fly a National Reconnaissance Office mission, NROL-22.
The Boeing Delta IV is produced at the Boeing Delta factory in Decatur, Ala.
The RS-68 is produced at Rocketdyne in Canoga Park, Calif. Delta vehicle
processing and launch operations are located in Florida and California. The
Boeing Delta program is headquartered in Huntington Beach, Calif.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of
the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St.
Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $30.5 billion business. It
provides network-centric system solutions to its global military,
government, and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest
military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer
and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems
integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global
leader in sustainment solutions and launch services.
###
Contact:
Robert Villanueva
Boeing Expendable Launch Systems
(714) 372-2089 Office
--
--------------
Jacques :-)
www.spacepatches.info