Members from various agencies, including Boeing, the Air Force and news media representatives, witnessed historic event here - a major milestone in the Air Force's Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program.

The massive launch vehicle stands nearly 235 feet high and will carry a demonstration payload on its inaugural mission, currently scheduled for next month. The payload will weigh over 6.5 tons, simulating the weight of a heavy payload, said Lt. Col. James Planeaux, Delta IV program manager, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California.

"The whole mission will be demonstrated in anticipation of future heavy lifts for national security payloads," Lt. Col. Planeaux said. Boeing and the Air Force have worked hand-in-hand since the inception of the project and look forward to a successful mission, he said.

The 5th Space Launch Squadron, a unit of the 45th Space Wing, located here helps process and launch EELVs.

"We scrutinize the contractors launch processes and procedures by participating with them as they plan each mission and prepare the rocket for launch, and by engaging with the launch team during the countdown," said Lt. Col. Robert Atkins, 5th SLS commander. He explained the significance of the upcoming launch.

"The Air Force Heavy Demonstration mission will be the first launch of a Delta IV Heavy configuration, essentially three liquid-fueled rockets flying 'in formation,' " he said. "This booster is critical for our nation's security because it will enable us to launch our heaviest DoD and national reconnaissance satellites after Titan IV retires."

The Delta IV Heavy is made up of three conventional Delta IV rockets strapped together. Each rocket has a RS-68 hydrogen-fueled engine, which generates 17 million horsepower, equivalent to 11 Hoover dams. Each rocket engine produces about 758,000 pounds of thrust at lift off.

The EELV program has created more affordable spacelift for both commercial and military payloads. "This is the first rocket engine designed specifically for value," said Michael Costas, RS-68 program director in Canoga Park, Calif. "Each rocket consumes one ton of propellants per second equating to about five tanker trailers per minute," he said.

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