Re: Delta 4 Heavy -- the engine for humans beyond LEO?

From: Damon Hill (damon1SIX1_at_comcast.netnet)
Date: 12/14/04 

Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 21:06:49 -0600

henry@spsystems.net (Henry Spencer) wrote in
news:I8oru7.KLq@spsystems.net:

> In article <vpovd.42036$yf.10170@fe2.texas.rr.com>,
> Jim Oberg <jameseoberg@houston.rr.com> wrote:
>>Has a really good, big booster snuck up on us, when many of us
>>(like me) really weren't paying attention?
>
> I continue to be baffled at the way some people are jumping up and
> down with enthusiasm for Delta IV Heavy... when Atlas V Heavy can
> carry quite significantly heavier loads, has a substantially shorter
> launch cycle, and overall looks like a better choice as a
> space-infrastructure launcher.
>
> Why exactly is Delta IV in particular so wonderful? I don't get it.

Delta IV Heavy is available. I don't see where Atlas V Heavy has much,
if any, payload advantage; thought they were about equal?

Okay, so we've got TWO very adaptable and expandable launch
systems. Other than Delta IV simply looks less awkward with a
5-6 meter payload shroud, and Boeing >has< thought about how they
could expand on it. I'd like to see how Atlas V could be
expanded.

Granted, Atlas can roll to pad and launch in a very short time.
Boeing could have done better there, especially given their
experience with Sea Launch/Zenit (though Delta IV got started
with McDonald/Douglas sometime before Boeing bought the latter).

--Damon

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