United Launch Alliance is set to make history this Thursday with the final launch of the Delta IV rocket as it embarks on the NROL-70 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office. Liftoff is scheduled for 2:45 PM EDT from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, with the mission expected to take several hours to complete.
This milestone launch marks the 45th and last flight of the Delta IV, which first took to the skies back in 2002. Developed by McDonnell Douglas and later merged with Boeing, the Delta IV has had a distinguished career, including completing several high-profile missions for both NASA and military customers.
Originally a direct competitor to the Atlas V rocket, the Delta IV will now join forces with its former rival as stablemates at United Launch Alliance. The Delta IV was specifically designed as a modular system with different configurations to meet various mission requirements.
The final mission of the Delta IV Heavy will carry the classified NROL-70 payload, believed to be an electronic signals intelligence satellite. The launch will take place from Space Launch Complex 37B at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and once the payload is deployed, the rocket will perform a collision avoidance maneuver.
The Delta IV has a rich history that dates back to the early days of the US space program with the Thor-Delta. With the retirement of the Delta IV, United Launch Alliance will shift its focus to its Atlas V and Vulcan rockets for future launches. Don’t miss this historic moment as the Delta IV takes its final flight into space.
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