Boeing

Boeing [NYSE: BA] officials today announced the U.S. Air Force has assigned a second launch of a Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) satellite aboard a Boeing Delta IV rocket.

The DSCS III A3 satellite will be deployed by a Boeing Delta IV Medium expendable launch vehicle. The launch is scheduled for the second quarter of 2003 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

"The selection by the Air Force to launch another DSCS satellite on our Delta IV expresses continued confidence by the Air Force in the Delta IV program," said Tom Parkinson, division director of U.S. government sales for Boeing Delta Launch Services. "Having launched numerous national security payloads for the government aboard our Delta II, we continue to extend our launch services to our Delta IV vehicles."

The Boeing Delta IV Medium is a single common booster core launch vehicle with a 4-meter fairing and is capable of lifting approximately 9,285 pounds (4,210 kg) to geosynchronous transfer orbit.

"We're very pleased with the great job Boeing has done integrating our first DSCS III/Delta IV mission," said Col. Robert Saxer, U.S. Air Force Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle system program director. "The Boeing Delta team has also made tremendous progress bringing the Delta IV and its new RS-68 main engine to the international marketplace."

The U.S. Air Force Space Command operates 10 Phase III DSCS satellites providing defense officials and battlefield commanders secure voice and high rate data communications. The DSCS III system also transmits space operations and early warning data to various systems and users.

Boeing has sold out all four launches of the Delta IV in 2002, and is 50 percent sold out for 2003. First flight of the Delta IV is scheduled for Spring of 2002.

For more information visit the Boeing Delta website.

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