The Delta IV family of medium-to-heavy launch vehicles became operational in 2002. The first Delta IV launch, of Eutelsat’s W5 commercial satellite, took place on Nov. 20, 2002. The first payload delivered for the U.S. government’s Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program was the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) A3 satellite on March 10, 2003.

Delta IV launch vehicles can accommodate single or multiple payloads on the same mission. The rockets can launch payloads to polar orbits, sun-synchronous orbits, geosynchronous orbits and GTOs, and LEO.

Each Delta IV rocket is assembled horizontally, erected vertically on the launch pad, integrated with its satellite payload, fueled and launched. This process reduces on-pad time to less than 10 days and the amount of time a vehicle is at the launch site to less than 30 days after arrival from the factory, reducing cost and increasing schedule flexibility.

In December 2006, Boeing and Lockheed Martin Corporation combined their Delta and Atlas expendable launch vehicle businesses, forming the United Launch Alliance (ULA) joint venture. ULA provides launch services to U.S. government customers. Its first Delta launch, of a National Reconnaissance Office satellite aboard a Delta II, took place on Dec. 14, 2006.

Delta launches for commercial customers are provided by Boeing. Boeing Launch Services procures the launch vehicles and related services for its commercial customers from ULA.