ULA Concludes Six Decades Of Delta Rocket Flights With Final Delta 4 Heavy Mission

After a historic 60-year run, the Delta rocket era has come to an end. On Tuesday, April 9th, 2024, United Launch Alliance (ULA) successfully launched the final Delta IV Heavy mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This launch, carrying a classified NRO payload codenamed NROL-70, marked the culmination of a remarkable journey that saw the Delta family propel countless satellites into orbit.

The Delta's legacy began in 1960 and stretches across 389 missions, with an impressive 95% success rate. Throughout the decades, the Delta family evolved, growing larger and more powerful to accommodate ever-increasing satellite payloads. From the original Delta to the mighty Delta IV Heavy, these rockets played a pivotal role in scientific discovery, national security, and commercial space exploration.

"This will be the 16th flight [of the Delta IV Heavy]. All but four of those have been for the NRO because of its unique capabilities," said ULA's CEO, Tory Bruno, during a pre-launch briefing [2]. The Delta IV Heavy, with its triple-core design, was particularly adept at launching heavier satellites, including those critical for national security missions.

The final launch wasn't without its drama. An earlier launch attempt on March 28th was scrubbed due to a technical issue. But on the second try, the Delta IV Heavy roared to life, carrying its precious cargo into the sky. With this successful launch, ULA officially retired the Delta family, making way for their next-generation Vulcan rocket.

The Vulcan promises to be a more versatile and cost-effective launch vehicle. However, the Delta's legacy will undoubtedly endure. It leaves behind a rich history of innovation and accomplishment, forever etched in the annals of space exploration.