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:

United Launch Alliance (ULA) is conducting the 16th and final launch of its powerful Delta IV Heavy rocket for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office, bringing an end to the Delta rocket family's six-decade legacy of 388 successful missions.
This farewell marks ULA's strategic transition to its new Vulcan Centaur launch system, designed to be a less expensive successor to both the Delta and Atlas rocket families.
The shift to Vulcan Centaur is crucial for ULA to compete effectively in the evolving space launch market, especially against rivals like SpaceX and its reusable, cost-effective launch vehicles.

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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.