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Delta IV Heavy

Delta IV Heavy was the three-core heavy-lift configuration of Delta IV. One central Common Booster Core and two liquid-fueled booster cores powered a five-metre cryogenic upper stage and payload fairing. Sixteen vehicles flew from 2004 through 2024: the first demonstration had reduced launch performance, while the following 15 missions were successful, including 12 National Reconnaissance Office launches, Orion EFT-1, and Parker Solar Probe.

Delta IV Heavy
NASA / Kim Shiflett · NASA Kennedy Space Center asset; NASA Image Library item KSC-2014-4692 identifies this exact byte-matched aerial photograph of the United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy at Space Launch Complex 37 and credits NASA/Kim Shiflett. NASA’s current Images and Media Usage Guidelines generally permit factual or informational/editorial use with NASA attribution and without implying NASA endorsement. NASA insignia and identifiers, ULA or other third-party marks, identifiable-person rights, and commercial, promotional, merchandise, or other protected-rights uses may require separate clearance; verify before such use. · Source
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Identity

Aliases
Delta 4 HeavyDIVH
Family Name
Delta IV
Full Name
Delta IV Heavy
Status
retired
Type
rocket
Variant Name
Heavy

Details

Description
Delta IV Heavy was the three-core heavy-lift configuration of Delta IV. One central Common Booster Core and two liquid-fueled booster cores powered a five-metre cryogenic upper stage and payload fairing. Sixteen vehicles flew from 2004 through 2024: the first demonstration had reduced launch performance, while the following 15 missions were successful, including 12 National Reconnaissance Office launches, Orion EFT-1, and Parker Solar Probe.
Dimensions
Diameter
…
Height
…
First Flight Year
2,004
Last Flight Year
2,024
Manufacturer
Operator
Parent Vehicle Family
Propulsion Configurations
  • Entries
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      core
      Propulsion System
      Role
      main
      Variant Notes
      Migrated from legacy reference "RS-68/RS-68A" without inventing a more precise installation.
    • Count
      2
      Placement
      booster
      Propulsion System
      Role
      booster
      Variant Notes
      Migrated from legacy reference "RS-68/RS-68A" without inventing a more precise installation.
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      upper
      Propulsion System
      Role
      upper-stage
      Variant Notes
      Migrated from legacy reference "RL10B-2/RL10C-2-1" without inventing a more precise installation.
  • Entries
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      core
      Propulsion System
      Role
      main
      Stage
      first-stage
      Variant Notes
      One RS-68A powers the central Delta IV Heavy Common Booster Core.
    • Count
      2
      Placement
      booster
      Propulsion System
      Role
      booster
      Stage
      first-stage
      Variant Notes
      Two RS-68A engines power the Delta IV Heavy liquid-fueled booster cores.
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      upper
      Propulsion System
      Role
      upper-stage
      Stage
      second-stage
      Variant Notes
      The Delta IV Heavy second stage retains the existing RL10 family-level reference.
    Name
    Delta IV Heavy RS-68A final configuration
    Notes
    Final Delta IV Heavy configuration using three RS-68A engines across the three Common Booster Cores; the legacy family-level configuration remains preserved above.
  • Entries
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      core
      Propulsion System
      Role
      main
      Stage
      first-stage
      Variant Notes
      One original RS-68 powers the central Delta IV Heavy Common Booster Core.
    • Count
      2
      Placement
      booster
      Propulsion System
      Role
      booster
      Stage
      first-stage
      Variant Notes
      Two original RS-68 engines power the Delta IV Heavy liquid-fueled booster cores.
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      upper
      Propulsion System
      Role
      upper-stage
      Stage
      second-stage
      Variant Notes
      The Delta IV Heavy second stage retains the existing RL10 family-level reference.
    Name
    Delta IV Heavy original RS-68 configuration
    Notes
    Historical Delta IV Heavy vehicles used three original RS-68 engines before the RS-68A upgrade; the family-level baseline and RS-68A final configuration remain preserved.
Rocket Specs
Liftoff Mass
…
Payload Capacity
GTO
…
LEO
…
Reusability
expendable
Stages Count
2
Strap On Boosters Count
2

Links

Official Url
https://newsroom.ulalaunch.com/releases/marking-the-end-of-an-era-united-launch-alliance-successfully-launches-final-delta-iv-heavy-rocket
Wikipedia Url
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_IV_Heavy

Assets & Meta

Creation Time
July 13, 2026 at 07:34:18 UTC
Updated Time
August 13, 2026 at 20:45:38 UTC
Image
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