ULA Prepares for Delta IV Heavy’s Final Mission

United Launch Alliance’s Delta IV Heavy space launch vehicle will carry a classified payload from the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.

Jack Daleo

Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 03:34 PM ET

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Delta IV Heavy’s common booster core and upper stage are stacked on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida. [Courtesy: United Launch Alliance]

Key Takeaways:

The Delta IV Heavy rocket is undertaking its 16th and final launch for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office, marking the end of the prolific Delta rocket family after over six decades of service.
The NROL-70 mission carries a classified national security payload, reinforcing the Delta family's long history of supporting critical U.S. government space operations.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is retiring the Delta and Atlas V rockets to fully transition to its new, more cost-effective Vulcan Centaur, positioning itself to compete in the evolving space launch market.

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One of the most prolific families of space launch vehicles in U.S. history is preparing for its swan song.

United Launch Alliance (ULA) on Friday will attempt the 16th and final launch of its Delta IV Heavy rocket, one of the world’s most powerful—and expensive—commercially produced launch vehicles. The launch was initially scheduled for Thursday afternoon but was scrubbed a few minutes before takeoff.