BOEING DELTA IV LAUNCHES SUCCESSFULLY.Byline: Evan Pondel Staff Writer CANOGA PARK - Boeing's Delta IV rocket The Delta IV is a family of Delta rockets designed by Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems division and built in United Launch Alliance's facility in Decatur, Alabama with final assembly at the launch site by United Launch Alliance. soared into Florida's evening sky Wednesday, leaving behind a trail of false starts and frayed nerves stretching all the way to the West Coast. Two previous launches had been canceled due to complications with the rocket's upper-stage engine and a faulty valve on the vehicle's oxygen tank. But all of the elements seemed to gel at 5:39 p.m. EST at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station The Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) is the East Coast space launch facility of the United States Department of Defense. Located on Cape Canaveral in the State of Florida, it depends on Patrick Air Force Base, home of the 45th Space Wing. CCAFS is adjacent to the John F. in Florida. ``It's like giving birth to a baby and having hot flashes hot flashes Hot flush Gynecology A symptom afflicting 80-85% of middle-aged ♀, first occurring during the perimenopause, continuing with ↓ intensity for yrs, manifesting itself as transient waves of erythema and uncomfortable warmth beginning in the at the same time,'' said Dick Rhea rhea, in zoology rhea (rē`ə), common name for a South American bird of the family Rheidae, which is related to the ostrich. Weighing from 44 to 55 lb (20–25 kg) and standing up to 60 in. , who has been an engineer with Boeing for almost 50 years. ``I've seen many of these launches in my day, but I still get that rush of adrenalin come liftoff.'' Engineers and executives monitored the rocket's 37-minute ascent from Boeing's Canoga Park facility. Unlike the groans after Tuesday's scrubbed launch, a pack of rowdy rocket scientists high-fived each other upon liftoff. ``I'm elated. I've been dedicating my life to this project for the last four years,'' said David Nordling, a 30-year-old combustion engineer who was crossing his fingers during ignition. Traveling at about 10,000 mph, the rocket was carrying a French satellite operated by Eutelsat. The Paris-based company transmits more than 1,200 television stations and 600 radio stations. Equally important to deploying the satellite, the Delta IV's debut launch marked the first time Boeing has sent a U.S.-produced rocket engine into the atmosphere in three decades. The RS-68 engine was partially assembled in Canoga Park, while the two-stage rocket was designed at Boeing Huntington Beach Huntington Beach, city (1990 pop. 181,519), Orange co., S Calif., on the Pacific coast, across from Santa Catalina Island, in an oil-producing area; inc. 1909. It manufactures aerospace vehicles, aircraft parts, optical instruments, and heat transfer equipment. . The RS-68 bolsters Boeing's credibility as a manufacturer of rocket engines, enabling the aerospace company to secure future contracts with the U.S. Air Force. The Delta IV Delta IV can refer to
``The success of the RS-68 proves something we've known for a long time: that Boeing has the ability to produce a rocket engine,'' Nordling said. Most rocket engines in the past few decades have been manufactured by Russian competitors. Analysts say because of the ease in manufacturing the RS-68, more prospective customers may turn to Boeing. ``This launch does not do much for Boeing's stock, but it will sure help the company's reputation,'' said Paul Nisbet, analyst with JSA JSA - Japanese Standards Association. Research in Rhode Island Rhode Island, island, United States Rhode Island, island, 15 mi (24 km) long and 5 mi (8 km) wide, S R.I., at the entrance to Narragansett Bay. It is the largest island in the state, with steep cliffs and excellent beaches. . In contrast to the virtually flawless launch of Delta IV, the inaugural flight of Boeing's Delta III rocket The Delta III rocket was an expendable launch vehicle made by Boeing. The first Delta III launch was on August 26 1998. Of its three flights, the first two were failures, and the third—which succeeded—carried only a dummy (inert) payload. ended in a fireball fireball, very bright meteor leaving a trail in the sky that can remain visible for several minutes; often a distinct sound, perhaps caused by very low frequency radio waves, is associated with it. . Bringing respect back to Boeing, the RS-68 and Delta IV are now symbolic of an overall recovery mode for the Chicago-based company. Even so, Boeing said Wednesday it expects to eliminate 5,000 more jobs next year in addition to the nearly 30,000 cuts the company has made since the terrorist attacks of 2001. In October, the company announced plans to cut 1,200 to 1,500 jobs in the following six months. The culprit: a weak airline market and foundering commercial jet production. Ann Kotake, a Boeing engineer for five years, understands the importance of Delta IV. Kotake should have been on maternity leave maternity leave n → baja por maternidad maternity leave maternity n → congé m de maternité maternity leave maternity n for her baby girl who is due in two weeks. Instead, she was watching the launch in Canoga Park with her colleagues. ``My launch window was a little bigger than the Delta IV,'' she said. ``Starting tomorrow, I will be going on maternity leave.'' Not so for other engineers. Now that the RS-68 has successfully pushed the Delta IV into space, Boeing will produce at least 40 more in the next few years. ``OK, so it's time for celebration at the moment, but this launch is just the beginning for Boeing's RS-68. Tomorrow we go back to work,'' said Kevin Cramer, who works with turbo machinery. CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Engineers and other employees at Boeing's Canoga Park facility watch the Wednesday launch of the firm's Delta IV rocket on a closed-circuit broadcast. (2) Boeing employees in Canoga Park facility cheer as they watch the Delta IV rocket launch in Florida, after two previous launch attempts had been canceled due to complications. John McCoy/Staff Photographer |
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