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Initial Flight Data Received on Delta IV Delivery of DSCS
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ST. LOUIS, Mar. 14, 2003 -A Boeing [NYSE: BA] Delta IV rocket 
successfully delivered to space on Monday the DSCS III A3 
communications satellite for the U.S. Air Force Evolved Expendable 
Launch Vehicle (EELV) program.

The satellite will provide defense officials and battlefield 
commanders with secure-voice and high data rate communications, along 
with transmitting space communications and early warning data to key 
government systems and users.

"This was a terrific team effort," said Will Trafton, vice president 
and general manager, Boeing Expendable Launch Systems. "The Delta, 
EELV and DSCS teams did a very professional job of pulling this 
mission together. We're just so pleased that Boeing has contributed to 
the success of this mission for the Department of Defense and for our 
men and women in uniform around the world."

Results from initial data reviews show the orbital insertion of the 
DSCS III A3 satellite by the Delta IV Medium launch vehicle was right 
on target, well within the mission requirements and predicted 
accuracy. The apogee and perigee altitudes of the spacecraft after 
separation were within 15 and 1.2 nautical miles of target, 
respectively, and the orbit inclination angle was exactly as targeted.

"The accuracy of this launch will contribute to the longevity of the 
DSCS satellite lifespan," said Dan Collins, vice president and Delta 
program director. "We're proud to be a part of the U.S. Air Force 
efforts and will continue to support the EELV team to the best of our 
ability."

"It was an absolutely spectacular launch," said Col. Susan Mashiko, 
director of the U.S. Air Force EELV program. "In terms of national 
security and national security payloads, it couldn't have come at a 
better time."

The Delta IV carrying DSCS III A3 also carried four on-board cameras, 
which enabled the Air Force and Delta launch teams to view spacecraft 
separation of a DSCS satellite for the very first time.

"It was really spectacular to see the satellite separate," said 
Christine Anderson, Military Satellite Communications Program Director 
for the Air Force. "We have never seen that - it was the first time 
we've had a camera taking pictures. It was super."

The Delta IV lifted off at 7:59 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 37B 
at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The Boeing Delta engineering 
team will continue to review all flight data in the coming weeks in 
preparation for the next Delta IV flight, which is the second U.S. Air 
Force EELV program mission, DSCS III B6.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Integrated Defense Systems is one of the
world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. 
Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $23 billion business. It 
provides systems solutions to its global military, government and 
commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, 
surveillance and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft 
manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading 
provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator 
for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global 
leader in launch services.

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Contact:
Robert Villanueva
(714) 372-2089 Office
robert.s.villanueva{at}boeing.com

Larry Salazar
(714) 372-4734 Office
larry.p.Salazar{at}boeing.com

Boeing Launch Hotline (714) 896-4770
Boeing Delta website www.boeing.com/delta

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