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Delta IV to Support First West Coast EELV Mission

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 19, 2002 - The arrival of the Boeing Delta IV rocket
at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), Calif., puts the U.S. Air Force
one step closer to launching its first West Coast Evolved Expendable
Launch Vehicle (EELV) mission.

The Delta IV fairing and common booster core (CBC), which includes the 
Rocketdyne RS-68 main engine, was transported aboard the M/V Delta 
Mariner vessel from the Boeing rocket manufacturing plant in Decatur, 
Ala., to Space Launch Complex 6 (SLC-6) at VAFB.

While at SLC-6, the CBC will be mated with the second stage and
launch-mate unit at the Horizontal Integration Facility, in
preparation for the launch of a satellite for the National
Reconnaissance Office. The mission, scheduled for the end of 2003,
will be launched aboard a Medium configuration of the vehicle that
will include two solid rocket motors to supplement the first stage
engine. 

Boeing is currently the only launch service provider that is
conducting EELV missions from the West Coast to meet U.S. Air Force
requirements. 

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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03-004

Contact:
Larry Salazar (714) 372-4734
Communications (714) 896-1301
Boeing Launch Hotline (714) 896-4770

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