Final Delta IV Heavy Rocket Successfully Launched by United Launch Alliance

The historic Delta program, with a legacy spanning 60 years, bid farewell with the final launch of the Delta IV Heavy rocket by United Launch Alliance (ULA) on April 9 at 12:53 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Carrying the NROL-70 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office, this launch marked the end of the Delta era and the dawn of a new chapter in heavy lift capability with ULA’s upcoming Vulcan rocket.

Gary Wentz, ULA’s vice president of Government and Commercial Programs, expressed gratitude to the dedicated team members, past and present, who contributed to the success of critical national security missions facilitated by the Delta IV Heavy rocket. Over the years, this rocket has completed 12 missions, delivering essential national security payloads. The NROL-70 mission signifies the 35th successful launch collaboration between ULA and the NRO, setting the stage for future partnerships in launching national security space missions.

Tory Bruno, President and CEO of ULA, acknowledged the Delta rocket’s significant role in shaping the evolution of space flight since the 1960s. The conclusion of this final Delta mission heralds ULA’s transition to the new Vulcan rocket, which promises enhanced performance compared to the three-core Delta IV Heavy rocket. The Vulcan rocket’s single-core design offers the capability to launch heavy-class missions with improved efficiency, reliability, and orbital precision, catering to a diverse range of customers in the national security, civil, and commercial sectors.

Looking ahead, ULA’s next mission is the Crew Flight Test (CFT) for Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew program, scheduled for launch on May 6, 2024. This upcoming mission underscores ULA’s commitment to advancing space exploration and ensuring the successful delivery of payloads for various clients.